As this critical picture is the result of nearly 12 years of war, the humanitarian crisis is far from over. Despite this, Syria is beginning to fall off the international agenda. The disastrous economic situation, insufficient rainfall, and severe drought-like conditions that have resulted in food insecurity, water crisis, and cholera outbreak have only increased this humanitarian ordeal. Several main facts still continue to aggravate this humanitarian crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine paving the way for a global economic slowdown and the repatriation of funds to it.

Since the beginning of the war, the humanitarian crisis has been deepening in Syria each passing year, and Syrians need urgent humanitarian aid more than ever. The number of people in need of humanitarian aid has been climbing since 2011 and it is expected to reach 15.3 million people in 2023 (over 69% of the country’s population). This is a record since the beginning of the conflict.

Among the millions of women, children, and men in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, more than 2.3 million depend on the monthly support they receive under the cross-border assistance. Cross-border delivery means an average of nearly 600 truckloads of food, medicines, sanitation, and hygiene items. While the needs are at their highest point in northern Syria, amidst the war, a cholera outbreak, and incoming winter, a failure to renew the resolution would be a humanitarian tragedy.

Maintaining this lifeline is critical for millions of people in Syria. However, while UN cross-border aid cannot be substituted, more permanent solutions need also to be implemented to complement this vital lifeline. The reauthorization is critical but clearly remains insufficient at a time when the humanitarian situation in Syria is at its worst. Complementary solutions such as cross-line deliveries – which is aid delivered across domestic frontlines from Syrian government-held areas into areas outside government control –  and early recovery efforts must be also supported. 

Despite the 11 years of humanitarian efforts in terms of immediate and fundamental needs, the situation of the Syrian population has not improved, and it has even deteriorated due to many external factors. Alongside emergency aid, it is time to also think about implementing long-term projects to ensure development and resilience in the region for the self-respect and future prospects of the people of Syria

• DotW urges the UN Security Council to renew the cross-border resolution for at least 12 months.
• DotW urges the United Nations and all parties in the region to support the improvement of a combination of cross-border aid, cross-line access, and early recovery efforts for more   sustainable humanitarian efforts.
• DotW calls on the United Nations and the international community to step up their efforts for the implementation of long-term projects focusing on development, resilience, and sustainability.