This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 10, 2020, the UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution to extend cross-border aid to Syria, a move that has been met with resistance from Russia and China.
According to Oxfam, stopping cross-border aid would be a devastating blow to the millions of Syrian families who rely on it for clean water, food, health care, and shelter.
Russia and China vetoed the draft resolution, which was presented by Germany and Belgium, citing concerns that the UN authorization violates Syria's sovereignty.
However, the UN argues that the authorization is necessary to ensure that aid reaches those in need, particularly in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had previously called for a one-year extension of the aid to include the two current access points.
When asked if the UN would be satisfied with a single entry point into Syria, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric replied, "We need more aid to go through the border. We do not need less to go through."
