‘Do something’; UN relief chief urges Security Council action to stop the Syrian carnage unfolding ‘in front of your eyes’

Bombing and shelling in Syria for more than 90 days by the Government and Russia have led to “carnage in the so-called de-escalation zone” of Idlib, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council in his seventh update since the “current onslaught” began.

Many hundreds more have been injured, over 440,000 displaced and dozens of civilians killed or injured by shelling of the Security Council-listed terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the non-State armed groups associated with them.

“We all know exactly what has been happening for the last three months in Idlib. There is no shortage of information,” said Mark Lowcock, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

The OCHA head spoke at length about the important humanitarian work being carried out and the needs that lie ahead.

“Some recent reports have claimed that UN humanitarian assistance reaches only those in areas not controlled by the Government”, he argued. “That is untrue”.

Most UN assistance goes to Government-controlled areas.

“I also call on all Member States to de-escalate growing tensions along the borders in the northeast and avoid any actions that may cause further displacement, casualties, and suffering.”

“You in this Security Council have ignored all the previous pleas you have heard”, Mr. Lowcock spelled out. “You know what is happening and you have done nothing for 90 days as the carnage continues in front of your eyes”. Are you going to…do something about it?”, concluded the UN humanitarian chief.

Original source: UN News
Published on 30 July 2019