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Iran’s intervention before the International Syria Support Group - 22 February 2023

Intervention

By

Dr. Seyed Mohammad Sadati Nejad

Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before

The Humanitarian Task Force

The International Syria Support Group

22 February 2023

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

  Madam Chair,

The Syrian government and people are facing serious challenges in addressing the consequences of the devastating earthquake. After the early stages of relief and rescue operations and the emergency response, the issue of rehabilitation, early recovery and reconstruction would be the most important issue to be dealt with. It is important that the basic humanitarian needs of the affected people being secured and to ensure that no one in need of humanitarian assistances is left behind.

Madam Chair,

Immediately after the earthquake, the Iranian Red Crescent society team was dispatched to the area and the President of IRCS personally visited the Syrian affected regions. Iran has sent till now, 11 humanitarian convoys by aircraft to Syria. In addition to that, 4 humanitarian trucks consisting of Iranian `s humanitarian aid were dispatched by the Iranian Red Crescent to Syria. These convoys include medicine, food, blanket and other necessary humanitarian items. More humanitarian aids are supposed to be sent to Syria in the coming days.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its readiness to send humanitarian aid and establish a hospital in areas outside the control of the Syrian government, in north west of Syria but it has been faced with obstacles.

 We believe that providing help and reducing the agony of the people should be a priority now and we call upon all with influence to make this happen and put aside political differences.

Madam Chair,

We welcome the decision of the Syrian government to allow transfer of humanitarian aids through more cross border points in the coming months and the blanket approval for the cross line aids. The Syrian Red Crescent Society has also expressed its readiness to provide aid to areas outside the government's control, but it has faced with obstacles by groups in control of those areas.

We welcome the new wave of the unilateral sanctions to facilitate transfer of humanitarian aids to Syria. However, we call upon all sanctioning States to guarantee that there is no impediment for transfer of humanitarian aids to Syria. We repeat our call for complete lift of unilateral sanctions. We also repeat our request to the UN agencies to report to this meeting on the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on humanitarian operation in Syria.

Madam Chair,

The quantity and quality of the aids sent to Syria is not yet comparable to the losses and damages. We encourage all to increase financial support for the humanitarian operations in Syria.

We would like to reiterate once again that abusing the current crisis as a political stance towards the Syrians after this catastrophic earthquake, is inhumane and not accepted.

It is important to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria. It is also very important to have a balanced and fair approach in provision of aids to all the Syrians in need. We would like to highlight that the situation in Al Hol and Al Rokban Camps and the problem of water and electricity in Al Hasake and other areas and the cholera outbreak in other areas should not be forgotten because of attentions on earthquake hit areas.

 Madam Chair,

We strongly condemn recent Israeli attack which targeted residential areas in Damascus and its vicinity, causing the death of five people and the injury of 15 others. This savage aggression while UN agencies and countries were assisting Syria in dealing with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, providing rescuers, doctors, and humanitarian supplies was horrible and disgusting. This is a flagrant violation of human rights and international law. This is due to the impunity of the Israeli regime and silence and double standards policies at the international level.

Madam Chair,

The continuation of occupation of Syria, looting oils, grain and agricultural products, supporting terrorist groups and military aggressions by Israeli regime against civilian targets have made the ground for the Syria’s humanitarian crisis to be even worse. We urge all member States to be obliged by the international law and UN Charter and call up on all to end occupation and military aggression against Syria.

This crisis should be used as an opportunity to build back better and increase the resilience of the inhabitants in the affected areas.

I thank you.