Kaine Statement On Syrian Humanitarian Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement today on the Syrian humanitarian crisis:

“I welcome today’s long overdue passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing unhindered cross-border humanitarian assistance to civilians in need inside Syria, even without the consent of the Assad government.   I called for such a measure in a May letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.  Since the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 2139 in February, the humanitarian situation has only further deteriorated inside Syria, with the Assad regime blocking humanitarian access to more than 4 million innocent civilians.  I hope the UN will quickly work with humanitarian NGOs and regional governments to implement this resolution, which provides the United Nations all necessary authorities to facilitate cross-border assistance - even without the permission of the Assad regime - at four border crossings. More still needs to be done to address the humanitarian plight in Syria.  I look forward to the report of the 180 day U.N. monitoring mechanism to see if there is a change in the situation on the ground.   And if access is denied or there is non-compliance, this resolution affirms that the Security Council will take further action. The credibility of the Security Council is at stake if the status quo continues.”

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