Current:Home > NewsSyria’s government extends permission for UN to bring aid through border crossing with Turkey-LoTradeCoin
Syria’s government extends permission for UN to bring aid through border crossing with Turkey
View Date:2024-12-23 22:39:08
BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s government is giving the United Nations permission for another six months to use a major border crossing with Turkey to bring aid into the country’s rebel-held northwest.
Syria’s mission to the U.N. said in a statement late Thursday that the Bab al-Hawa crossing should be “effectively operationalized in a way that contributes to helping people in need in northwest Syria.” The statement said the period expires on July 13.
Rebel-held parts of northwest Syria are home to more than 4 million people, many of them displaced by the country’s conflict that broke out in March 2011. The conflict has killed half a million people and displaced half of Syria’s prewar population of 23 million.
The U.N. Security Council initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan through four crossing points into opposition-held areas in Syria. But over the years, Syria’s closest ally Russia, backed by China, has reduced the authorized crossings to just Bab al-Hawa — and the mandates from a year to six months.
After a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake ravaged northwestern Syria and southern Turkey in February, Syrian President Bashar Assad opened two additional crossing points from Turkey, at Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai, to increase the flow of assistance. The term for those expired on Aug. 13.
Living conditions in Syria are deteriorating, with more people in need especially during the harsh winter. Tens of thousands live in tent settlements in the northwestern province of Idlib.
Last month, the U.N. World Food Program said that in January it would end its main assistance program across Syria, where over 12 million people lack regular access to sufficient food.
The U.N. estimates that about 90% of the population lives in poverty. The Syrian pound’s value against the U.S. dollar has crashed over the years, affecting purchasing power.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
- UAW and Stellantis reach tentative contract agreement
- Paris Hilton and Jessica Alba Dress Up as Britney Spears at Star-Studded Halloween 2023 Party
- Indianapolis police say 1 dead, 9 others injured in overnight shooting at Halloween party
- Congress returns to unfinished business and a new Trump era
- Live updates | Palestinian officials say death toll rises from expanded Israel military operation
- Skeletons discovered in incredibly rare 5,000-year-old tomb in Scotland
- Kelly dominates on mound as Diamondbacks bounce back to rout Rangers 9-1 and tie World Series 1-all
- Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
- Uvalde breaks ground on new elementary school
Ranking
- Georgia State University is planning a $107M remake of downtown Atlanta
- Matthew Perry Reflected on Ups and Downs in His Life One Year Before His Death
- Russians commemorate victims of Soviet repression as a present-day crackdown on dissent intensifies
- Less boo for your buck: For the second Halloween in a row, US candy inflation hits double digits
- Sydney Sweeney Slams Women Empowerment in the Industry as Being Fake
- 3 Sumatran tiger cubs have been born at a zoo in Nashville
- UAW escalates strike against lone holdout GM after landing tentative pacts with Stellantis and Ford
- Winner of albinism pageant says Zimbabwe event made her feel beautiful and provided sense of purpose
Recommendation
-
Watch out, Temu: Amazon Haul, Amazon's new discount store, is coming for the holidays
-
Abercrombie & Fitch, former CEO Mike Jeffries accused of running trafficking operation
-
Why is there a fuel shortage in Gaza, and what does it mean for Palestinians?
-
'Wait Wait' for October 28, 2023: With Not My Job guest Bernie Taupin
-
Gavin Rossdale Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti
-
Like writing to Santa Claus: Doctor lands on 'Flower Moon' set after letter to Scorsese
-
Florida’s ‘Fantasy Fest’ ends with increased emphasis on costumes and less on decadence
-
Matthew Perry Dead at 54