The United Nations security general Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to authorize delivery of aid (including food and medicine) to Syria, even without the consent of the government. Syria has rebuffed appeals by the United Nations to send aid to the insurgent held areas. Because of this, 85% of food aid and 70% of medicines are in areas under the control of President Bashar al-Assad (who is running for another 7 year term). Syria asserts its right to admit or deny anyone entry because it is a sovereign nation. This blockade of humanitarian relief is a big issue, and Council members are frustrated. Some are discussing a draft that may open up specific border crossings to deliver aid. However, Assad's government stated that if this were to happen, they would expel all United Nations agencies. This could mean that millions of people in territories under Assad's control could lose their most reliable sources of food and medicine.
This issue of a lack of humanitarian relief is frustrating and there should be something done about it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/24/world/middleeast/un-chief-urges-aid-deliveries-to-syria-without-its-consent.html?ref=world
Ann Nenoff
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