UN: Syrian Government Ignored Major Humanitarian Aid Requests

The United Nations states that the central government of Syria ignored most requests for humanitarian aid to people in remote and besieged areas in 2015. Out of nearly 5 million people in urgent need of assistance, only 620,000 received aid. According to Reuters, Stephen O'Brien, the UN's senior humanitarian representative, stated on January 27 at a UN Security Council meeting that last year the UN submitted 113 requests for humanitarian aid and convoys to the Syrian central government, of which only 10 were executed. Mr. O'Brien noted that 75% of all requests received no response from the government. The number of Syrian citizens who received primary aid, medicine, or food from non-governmental organizations was nearly 3 million in 2013, but this number decreased to 620,000 in 2015. The UN estimates that currently 13.5 million Syrian citizens need assistance, and Mr. O'Brien mentioned that more people are becoming inaccessible every day. He added that despite all the challenges, local aid workers in Syria risk their lives to help people. "Half a million Syrians are besieged and at risk of famine." The UN also states that the number of besieged areas in Syria has increased, with nearly half a million people currently in urgent need of food, medical aid, and supplies. Recently, the release of images of Syrian citizens facing death in besieged areas such as Madaya sparked international reactions and led to a UN Security Council meeting. However, international officials now warn that the number of cities, villages, and people facing similar dangers has increased. According to the UN, the number of besieged areas has risen from 15 last month to 18. The UN's senior humanitarian representative and the head of the World Food Program have urged the Syrian government to allow the necessary materials and food to be sent to besieged areas. According to the Associated Press, Stephen O'Brien stated that "just one communication (with besieged areas) is not enough to solve the hunger problem." He also called for access to these cities and villages to evacuate the sick and injured. Mr. O'Brien said that airlifting aid is "dangerous" and insufficient. Ertharin Cousin, head of the World Food Program, also told reporters that to airlift primary aid and food, a safe air zone must be provided to aid organizations. Ms. Cousin warned that it won't be long before the world sees images similar to those released from Madaya from various regions of Syria. The Syrian civil war began following the suppression of largely peaceful protests against Bashar al-Assad's government. Over the past five years of conflict, Syria has become a haven for extremist groups such as the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra. The central government only controls parts of the country. At least 250,000 people have lost their lives. More than 4 million Syrian citizens have fled the country, and millions more are displaced within it. In this context, negotiations between the Syrian government and Bashar al-Assad's opponents will begin on Friday.