Vietnam underscores prioritizing humanitarian assistance efforts for Syria

Upon addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s meeting on the escalating crisis in Syria held on August 24, he voiced concerns about the complicated security situation and its impact on civilians. 

The local diplomat called on all parties in Syria and international partners to promote dialogue and trust building to seek a peaceful solution to more than a decade of instability. 

He welcomed the Security Council's consensus on extending cross-border aid mechanism to Syria and underlined the importance of maintaining a consensus in seeking a long-term and comprehensive political solution.

At the meeting, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths delivered reports on the political progress and humanitarian situation in Syria.

The speakers shared concerns about the deteriorating security situation in recent months, especially in the northwestern and southwestern regions of Syria. 

While welcomed the UNSC's decision on extending the cross-border aid mechanism to Syria in July, the two UN representatives continued to express their worry about the heavy impact of violence, economic crisis, lack of water security, and the COVID-19 pandemic to millions of civilians. Both of them underlined the need for the international community to make efforts to promote humanitarian aid in all forms and support the restoration of essential services for people after conflict.

The UNSC members emphasized the importance of pushing up a comprehensive political solution on the basis of Security Council Resolution 2254 towards a definitive settlement of the crisis in Syria. They also shared concerns about the deterioration of the security situation in the country and called on all parties to exercise restraint, facilitate dialogue and negotiation, protect civilians and maintain humanitarian assistance.