Discurso do Representante Permanente, Embaixador Sérgio França Danese, em reunião do Conselho de Segurança sobre a situação no Oriente Médio - 28 de novembro de 2023 (texto em inglês)

Statement by Permanent Representative, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, on the situation in the Middle East
November 28th, 2023

Mister President,

I will first speak on behalf of Switzerland and Brazil, co-penholders of the Syrian humanitarian file. We thank Deputy Special Envoy Najat Rochdi and Director of OCHA's Operation and Advocacy Division Edem Wosornu for their briefings. I also welcome the participation of Syria, Türkiye, and Iran in today's meeting. 

In the midst of conflict and crisis in the Near East, we must not forget the people in Syria. After more than a decade of conflict, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Half the population is displaced, and needs have reached unprecedented proportions. In recent months, the country's food and water crisis has worsened. This, combined with persistent socio-economic decline, is driving more people into deeper poverty and severely straining their coping mechanisms.

The recent upsurge in violence and hostilities, notably in northwest Syria, the worst in years, has accentuated civilian suffering. It has displaced thousands and threatened the safety of vulnerable communities and aid workers. We are concerned about the increase of attacks on aid workers and recall that they are protected under international humanitarian law. The escalation of hostilities, including the repeated strikes on Damascus and Aleppo airports, have also impacted aid delivery. A long-lasting ceasefire according to resolution 2254 across the country is the only way to avoid further death, injury, displacement and human suffering.

We call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. This includes ensuring the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all civilians in need throughout Syria, abiding by the international humanitarian law principles regarding the conduct of hostilities, particularly the prohibition of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensuring the safety and protection of civilians. We condemn the recent shelling of displacement camps in the northwest, which have caused numerous civilian fatalities and injuries.

Mister President,

It is essential to maintain all aid modalities, including cross-border and cross-line, to ensure that humanitarian organizations can continue their indispensable work throughout Syria to reach people in need. The extension for the Bab Al-Salam and Al-Ra'ee crossings is welcome, as is the continued flow of vital humanitarian assistance through the three crossings, including Bab al-Hawa.

In northwestern Syria, 4.1 million people are in need of humanitarian support, 3.7 million are food insecure, 2.9 million are internally displaced, and 2 million are living in camps - the majority of whom are women and children. Their reliance on international assistance at this critical juncture is undeniable. We stress the need for stable and long-term arrangements to effectively address these escalating humanitarian needs. This would be facilitated by an extended and predictable duration of access authorizations.

The current UN Humanitarian Response Plan faces a significant funding shortfall. While we acknowledge recent additional pledges, it is concerning that only 33% of the required $5.4 billion has been secured. Specifically, only 30% of the necessary funding for early recovery projects and livelihood activities has been secured so far. This funding gap hampers the ability of the United Nations and its partners to assist affected communities.

Regarding the protection needs, we echo the concerns raised on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by OCHA's residents and regional coordinators. Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue in Syria, encompassing physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse, further aggravated by ongoing conflict, displacement, and economic crisis. We commend the UN's commitment to lead efforts to address gender-based violence in Syria, focusing on providing critical services to survivors, addressing root causes, and protecting the rights and well-being of women and girls.

We are grateful for OCHA's and all UN agencies' efforts in maintaining humanitarian operations under challenging conditions throughout the year. The Syrian people, who have endured so much suffering and trauma, especially children who have never known peace, need a chance for a better future. The Security Council must also play its part by continuing to work constructively to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria.

I now speak in my national capacity regarding the political aspects of the conflict.

Mister President,

We are currently witnessing a dangerous escalation of violence in Syria and the broader region. The potential regional spillover of the Israel-Hamas conflict is real and deeply concerning. Airstrikes continue to impact Damascus International Airport, leading to the cancellation of UNHAS flights for nearly a month. This has significantly affected the transportation of humanitarian cargo and personnel. As tensions remain high, it is the responsibility of all relevant parties to avoid further regional instability and to work towards calm and de-escalation.

Hostilities both in the north-west and north-east have resulted in civilian casualties, damaged civilian infrastructure, and caused further displacement. Health facilities, schools, water systems, and power stations have been damaged. These attacks include those carried out by the Security Council-listed terrorist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. All attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must cease immediately, in accordance with international humanitarian law. This applies equally to counter-terrorism activities.

Brazil, a country with strong human ties to Syria, has consistently maintained that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict. Nothing will help improve the humanitarian situation in Syria more than a political solution, especially after over a decade of conflict. Amid the escalating humanitarian crisis and deteriorating security, a comprehensive ceasefire is long overdue. Moreover, renewed political commitment is crucial for resuming a credible intra-Syrian political process, particularly with the reconvening of the Constitutional Committee. In this regard, we encourage all parties to actively participate and engage in the UN-facilitated political process foreseen by resolution 2254. We welcome the continuous efforts of the Special Envoy, Mr. Pedersen, in this regard.

The continuous violence, severe economic crisis, escalating hunger, human rights violations, and a stalled peace process represent, as Mr. Pedersen describes, an "unacceptable status quo". Currently, we face a fragile status quo that risks total collapse, potentially further destabilizing a region already at its breaking point. We must not only hope but also actively work towards a favorable political resolution to the Syrian crisis, ultimately bringing the peace, stability, and reconciliation that the Syrian people deeply desire and deserve.

Thank you.