UN Relief Chief ‘Disappointed’ Aid Workers Still Unable to Safely Access Eastern Aleppo

United Nations, 18 Dzulhijjah 1437/20 September 2016 (MINA) – Expressing disappointment that humanitarian actors have not been able to reach eastern Aleppo in Syria, the United Nations humanitarian chief urged all parties to the conflict to facilitate regular and sustained access to the besieged and hard-to-reach areas across the country.

“I am pained and disappointed that a UN convoy has yet to cross into Syria from Turkey, and safely reach eastern Aleppo,” SPA quoted UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien as saying in a statement issued Monday by his office (OCHA).

“The people of Syria have suffered long enough. Millions of Syrian civilians continue to face horrific deprivation and violence, especially those trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas,” he added.

According to the statement, the 20-truck UN convoy would have been the first of two that would have carried flour and other food supplies, enough to feed some 185,000 people in Aleppo for one month.

It added that some 275,000 people remain trapped in the city without food, water, proper shelter or medical care.

Further stressing that humanitarian aid must remain neutral, impartial and free of political and military agendas, he noted: “The UN and our partners remain ready to meet people’s needs regardless of who or where people are.” (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agecy (MINA)