UN: Humanitarian Aid To Syria Must Be Distributed Immediately

The UN truck containing humanitarian aid for Syria. (ANTARA/Anadolu/py)

JAKARTA - The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, emphasized the importance of distributing humanitarian aid to Syria "as quickly as possible" following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

This was conveyed in a statement released by the US State Department.

Pedersen met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of an international ministerial-level meeting in southern Jordan to discuss developments in Syria.

My message over the past few days has been very clear, which is that a very crucial thing in Syria is the creation of a credible and inclusive political process that brings together all of Syria, including all communities in Syria," Pedersen said, as quoted in the statement.

The second point, he continued, is that we must ensure that state institutions do not collapse, and humanitarian aid can be distributed as quickly as possible. If that is achieved, there may be new opportunities for the Syrian people.

Blinken at the meeting stressed that the challenges faced by Syria could be overcome through efforts to support the political transition led by the Syrian people themselves.

"We are determined to work together to support the transition led by the Syrian people, with the critical role played by the United Nations, particularly in terms of providing aid, minority protection, and various efforts needed for the future," he said.

Bashar al-Assad, a Syrian leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on December 8, ending Syria's ruling Baath Party regime since 1963.