Humanitarian Situation in Syria Outpacing Aid Efforts, Secretary-General Warns

 

at G-20 Summit, Citing ‘Terrible and Tragic’ Statistics

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks on Syria, as prepared for delivery, to the G-20 leaders in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 5 September:

I am very grateful to President Putin for allowing me to briefly address you about the tragic conflict in Syria, and some of the more recent developments.

You are well aware of events following the horrendous attack in the Ghouta area of Damascus on 21 August.  Subsequently, I received a request from more than 45 countries to investigate the incidents.  I therefore asked a team of UN inspectors, who were already on the ground, to focus on that incident as its highest priority.  In the course of its fact-finding activities, from 26 to 30 August, the team visited various affected areas, as well as hospitals where victims are being treated.

They interviewed witnesses and collected environmental and biomedical samples.  On 31 August, the UN team returned to The Hague to immediately begin its analysis.  The whole process prior to getting the evidence to the laboratories was overseen by two Syrian officials, in order to ensure full transparency, based on the guidelines of the General Assembly.

All samples have now arrived at four designated laboratories in Europe for analysis.  Scientists are working around the clock to ensure a rapid result, but one that also respects the highest professional standards and without compromising its integrity.  After the team informs me of the outcome, I will report promptly the results of that investigation to the Security Council and all Member States.

I am particularly grateful to the team of inspectors for its professionalism and, indeed, bravery.  I also wish to thank the Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for their support to the work of the team, as well as those Governments that provided evidence and complementary information.  I also appreciate the cooperation of the Government of Syria in this regard.

I take very seriously my responsibility as Secretary-General to make sure that the United Nations is doing everything it can to uphold the universal prohibition on the use of chemical weapons.  This is a larger issue than the conflict in Syria.  It is about a collective responsibility to mankind.  Thus, I have repeatedly stressed that any use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstance would be a serious violation of international law and an outrageous crime.  We cannot allow impunity in any crime against humanity.

I believe that the topic of chemical weapons is critically important for international peace and security, and I take note of the ongoing debate over what course of action should be taken by the international community.  All those actions should be taken within the framework of the UN Charter, as a matter of principle.

Syria’s humanitarian needs are unfortunately outpacing all our efforts.  The statistics are terrible and tragic.  More than 100,000 people have died, 4.25 million people have been displaced within the country, and at least another 2 million are now refugees.

I am extremely grateful for all the humanitarian assistance provided so generously to the Syrian people.  Yet, I continue to urgently ask for additional funding for our humanitarian operations because of the constant needs.  We have launched new funding appeals to respond to the humanitarian and refugee situations, and are asking for nearly $4.4 billion.

Let me also mention the toll this humanitarian crisis is taking on neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey, as well as in North Africa.  All have been generous in hosting Syrian refugees.  These countries must be helped.

The terrible, desperate plight of the people of Syria leads me to reiterate yet again that it is imperative to end this war.  Thus, I am determined to renew our efforts to rapidly convene the Geneva conference for Syria as soon as possible.  I have invited Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi to join me here in St. Petersburg so we can intensify our efforts towards a return to the negotiating table.  Let us remember, every day that we lose is a day when scores of innocent civilians die.  Providing more arms to either side is not the answer.  There is no military solution.

A viable political outcome in Syria must see the full implementation of the Geneva Communiqué.  It must also address the aspiration of the Syrian people for a new, democratic Syria.  I sincerely hope that all the distinguished leaders of the permanent five as well as some non-permanent members of the Security Council present here today will discharge their responsibilities fully and for the sake of the people of Syria.

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For information media • not an official record