Choice of life, death: UN decision on aid lifeline for Syrians

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US will continue to push for an extension of vital cross-border aid to Syrians following a UN stalemate that led to blocking aid deliveries to rebel-held areas in northwestern Syria, an official said on Sunday.

Russia on Friday vetoed a resolution by the United Nations Security Council that would have extended an aid delivery mechanism across Turkey’s border into Syria at the Bab al-Hawa crossing by one year, raising concerns of humanitarian organizations and the UN body.

Speaking to NGOs regarding the uncertainty the stalemate has brought, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the Security Council’s decision is a “choice between life and death” as about “70% of food needs will go unmet” without the UN. 

"Uncertainty around this resolution is already impacting the critical operations of humanitarian workers," Thomas-Greenfield said, highlighting the US’ commitment to providing aid in Idlib and saying Washington will continue to fight for an extension of the mandate.

The cross-border mechanism at Bab al-Hawa is the only way UN aid can be delivered to northwest Syria without having to traverse through areas controlled by the Syrian government. The mandate has been in effect since 2014 and expired on Sunday.

The Security Council extended aid delivery through the crossing into northwest Syria last year but Friday's veto of an extension by Russia has left residents of Syria's last major opposition bastion increasingly worried during a time when hunger levels are at their highest since the conflict began in 2011, according to the UN. 

A UN official told AFP on Sunday that “negotiations are continuing” with an ambassador saying “we are stuck where we were on Friday.”

Russia's veto of the resolution has come on the grounds that relief can be sent via parts of Syria controlled by the Damascus government, of which Moscow is a major ally.

About 14.6 million need aid in Syria, according to the UN which has called for a year-long renewal of the mandate extension.