SSG Calls for Syrian Borders to Remain Open for Humanitarian Aid

Sputnik News

16:42 17.05.2016(updated 17:35 17.05.2016)

According to a communique issued Tuesday after the ISSG meeting, International Syria Support Group insists that Syrian borders must stay open for humanitarian aid, and that urgent deliveries must reach a number of besieged areas.

VIENNA (Sputnik) – The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) insists that Syrian borders must stay open for humanitarian aid, and that urgent deliveries must reach a number of besieged areas, a communique issued Tuesday after the ISSG meeting in Vienna reads.

"As called for in UNSCR 2258, border crossings that are necessary for humanitarian relief should remain open," the communique summarizing the results of the ISSG meeting read.

"The ISSG insisted on concrete steps to enable the provision of urgent humanitarian deliveries to the following locations: Arbeen, Darraya, Douma, East Harasta, Mouadhimiyeh, Zabadin and Zamalka," the statement continued.

The International Syria Support Group calls on all parties to the conflict in Syria to return to the negotiating table under the aegis of the United Nations, the ISSG said in a final statement after a ministerial meeting of the group.

"On the basis of the Geneva Communique, the ISSG urged the parties to engage constructively with the UN Special Envoy [Staffan de Mistura] in addressing the fundamental issues for a transition, as set out by the Special Envoy. ISSG Members believe that the parties should return to negotiations on that basis at an appropriate time," the statement said.

The participants of the meeting of the ISSG welcome the final document prepared by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura after the April round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva.

"In this regard, they welcomed the 'Mediator's Summary' issued after the third round of intra-Syrian talks on April 27 by UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura," the statement issued after the ISSG meeting reads.

The International Syria Support Group is ready to work with all parties to the Syrian conflict to ensure absence of delays in humanitarian access.

"The ISSG committed to use its influence with all parties on the ground and in coordination with the United Nations to ensure immediate, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access throughout Syria, and allow humanitarian assistance to reach all people in need, particularly in all besieged and hard-to-reach areas, as defined by the UN and called for in UNSCR 2254," the statement issued after the ISSG meeting reads.

The International Syria Support Group called on the World Food Programme to carry out airdrops of humanitarian aid to besieged areas of Syria starting June 1, in case UN Humanitarian agencies are denied access to any of the hard-to-reach parts of Syria.

"Starting June 1, if the UN is denied humanitarian access to any of the designated besieged areas, the ISSG calls on the World Food Program to immediately carry out a program for air bridges and air drops for all areas in need," the ISSG said in a final statement after a ministerial meeting of the group on Tuesday.

© Sputnik