Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of the most difficult features of the crisis in Syria is that many of those who are most in need are beyond the reach of humanitarian workers. Vulnerable groups, such as women and children and the elderly, are particularly affected. Ireland continues to advocate for the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on humanitarian access in Syria. Opposition-controlled areas are particularly insecure and volatile and access has continued to decline in Syrian Government-controlled areas. While challenges of an immense nature remain there has been some provision of cross-border relief from Jordan and Turkey. As of the end of March, a total of 91 consignments from Turkey and Jordan were delivered to Syria under UN Security Council resolutions 2165 and 2191. This has had the effect of ensuring 1.5 million people have received food assistance, over 700,000 have received medical or health supplies, over 400,000 were helped with water, sanitation and hygiene support and over 1 million were assisted with essential humanitarian supplies.

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