Syria to open two more aid corridors – UN
Syria’s government will open two more border crossings to allow international aid to enter the country, following last week’s devastating earthquakes, the UN says.
The massive quakes struck neighbouring Turkey and violently shook Syria – a country already devastated by years of civil war – causing thousands of buildings to collapse across both countries, and a death toll of at least 40,000.
The death toll across both countries is expected to continue to rise as rescue teams desperately search through the rubble for signs of life. The World Health Organization has also warned of a potential second humanitarian crisis in both countries – as freezing temperatures along with a lack of housing, food and clean water risk the lives of many more people.
Many Syrians are angry over the lack of aid to their country.
The Syrian government blam difficulties in rescue efforts on the impact of Western sanctions imposed on the country.
But international aid groups say President Bashar al-Assad government’s mismanagement and refusal to engage with all areas of the country are to blame.
More than one million people are now homeless in Turkey and in Syria, it could be much higher, aid charities warn.
Syria aid crossings – ‘put politics aside’
The UN announced the two new border crossings – in Bab al-Salam and al-Raee on the border with Turkey – after talks with President Assad in Damascus on Monday.
The crossings into rebel-held north-western Syria will be initially open for three months, it added.
“Very shortly we will use the other two crossings,” Mr Guterres’ spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told BBC Radio 4’s World Tonight programme.
“We hope that the agreement will last as long as we need to use it. We will start using it as quickly as possible and I don’t want to make any assumptions, the only thing I want to assume is that people will put politics aside wherever they stand in this conflict.”
He did not give any further details on when the two crossings would open.
