UN Security Council

Reacting to the vote on Malta’s resolution, Oxfam America President and CEO Abby Maxman said: “Today’s resolution does show important progress in the Council in an effort to uphold international law. But at a time when a full cessation of hostilities is required, it falls far short by calling only for extended humanitarian pauses and corridors. Those are not nearly enough while the violence and siege continue. Even as hospitals are bombarded and the UN warns that their fuel supplies for aid have run dry, it is a bitter disappointment that UN Security Council members are still not able to vote for a ceasefire in Gaza."

In response to the results of the vote on a UN resolution continuing to allow cross-border aid into Syria, Oxfam’s Head of Office in New York, Brenda Mofya said: “The UN Security Council’s decision to renew the cross-border resolution for only six months is deeply disappointing and could potentially leave more than four million people in northwest Syria without the assistance they depend upon to survive when the harsh winter months arrive."

In response to the results of the vote on a UN resolution continuing to allow cross-border aid into Syria, Oxfam’s Regional Humanitarian Campaign Lead for MENA, Georges Ghali said: “The UN Security Council’s decision means that millions of Syrians who are suffering from the scourge of war, compounded by an economic collapse and a global pandemic, will continue to face an uncertain future. At a time when three in five Syrians are facing acute hunger, it is unconscionable to limit humanitarian assistance in this way."
 
 

While women in civil society often lead the way in preventing and bringing an end to violence, they are not included meaningfully in peace and security decision-making, even at the UN Security Council – the guardian of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. 

“The failure to come to an agreement on the renewal of cross-border aid is a devastating blow to the millions of Syrian families who rely on this aid for clean water, food, health care and shelter," said Oxfam in Syria’s Country Director Moutaz Adham in response to the results of two votes on renewing the UN Security Council’s resolution allowing cross-border aid into Syria which have failed to extend the mandate beyond Friday 10 July.

While all parties fighting refuse to compromise, Yemen's civilians are paying the price. As the Hudaydah offensive moves closer to the sea port and city, world leaders have a choice to put their full backing behind peace to bring an end to this crisis, or oversee a potential humanitarian catastrophe.

On 13 June 2018, The Saudi- and UAE-led coalition launched an attack on Hodeida, Yemen’s lifeline port. One week on, the Coalition has ignored all warnings and combined forces have pressed ahead to take Hodeida airport. The advance must now stop and efforts be refocused on peace. Taking the battle to a densely-populated city will have a much higher humanitarian toll.

The Saudi - and UAE - led Coalition’s assault on Hodeida – Yemen’s lifeline port – threatens hundreds of thousands of civilians in that city, and around 20 million more who rely on its imports of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies. The strategy to prevent this assault through quiet diplomacy has failed. For the sake of millions of Yemenis, the time for a more effective strategy is now.

By renewing the authorization of these cross-border aid deliveries, millions of people in Syria will continue to receive crucial humanitarian relief.