Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Japan to the United Nations
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa
At the Open Briefing of the United Nations Security Council
On the Humanitarian Situation in Syria
15 January 2016
Señor Presidente,
Miembros del Consejo,
Señoras y señores
Puesto que es la primera oportunidad de dirigirme en la sesión pública del Consejo de la Seguridad quisiera confirmar que Japón está dispuesto a trabajar con usted, el Presidente, y con todos los miembros para el logro de la paz y la seguridad international. (As it is the first occasion for me to address the open session of the Security Council, I would like to confirm Japan’s readiness to work with all members towards the attainment of international peace and security.)
Asimismo quisiera felicitarle por haber asumido este importante cargo de la Presidencia del Consejo en su primer mes en este órgano. (I would also like to congratulate you on assuming the important post of the President of the Security Council in your first month at the Council.)
Mr. President,
Thank you for convening this timely meeting. My sincere gratitude goes to Ms. Kang Kyung-wha, Assistant Secretary-General of OCHA, for shedding light on the grave situation in Syria.
Mr. President,
The Syria crisis, now heading towards its sixth year, represents one of the worst humanitarian crises of our generation.
The numbers speak for themselves: Out of a population of approximately 17 million, 12 million Syrians, half of them children, require assistance. However, for the 4.5 million who live in “hard-to-reach areas”, assistance reaches them only sporadically. Indeed, 400,000 individuals live under siege, lacking access to humanitarian aid. This figure is more than 10% of the population of Uruguay, the current President of the Council.
The town of Madaya is but one example of the plight faced by countless Syrians on a daily basis. Recent images of U.N. convoys entering Madaya provided a momentary relief. I would like to reiterate our utmost appreciation to the humanitarian aid staff whose courageous and invaluable efforts continue to save lives. But how much longer must Syrians live at the peril of aid delivery approvals? The case of Madaya and today’s briefing by the Assistant Secretary General of OCHA, remind us that the situation is far from resolved.
Mr. President,
In Resolution 2254 adopted in December, the Council expressed its strong support for a political solution to the crisis. We look forward to the convening of the first intra-Syrian dialogue on January 25th. Japan will continue to support the efforts of the Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura and the U.N.-facilitated political process towards a political transition based on the Geneva Communiqué in its entirety.
Mr. President,
The dire humanitarian situation must be addressed regardless of the political process. Why must Syrians endure the same suffering, only weeks after the adoption of Resolution 2254, which demanded “that all parties immediately comply with their obligations under international law”? Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has made it very clear yesterday at the General Assembly that the use of food as a weapon of war is a war crime and that all sides are committing atrocious acts prohibited under international humanitarian law.
Let us not forget that the success of the political process is contingent on the support of the Syrian people. Let us not lose sight that the goal of the political process and efforts at this Council are to end the suffering of the Syrian people on the ground.
Mr. President,
The indiscriminate attacks against civilians and the impediments against humanitarian access undermine the mutual confidence necessary for a political solution. While all actors are accountable for the protection of civilians, the Government of Syria has the first and foremost responsibility to protect its own citizens.
The protection of civilians is an obligation under international humanitarian law. We call on all parties to provide rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access as called for in Council Resolutions. In this regard, we particularly call on states that comprise the International Syria Support Group to use their influence to this end.
Mr. President,
The humanitarian situation in Syria also requires the solidarity of the international community by way of increased assistance. Since 2011, Japan has disbursed more than 1.1 billion dollars in humanitarian aid including food, sanitation and other assistance to Syrians and neighbouring host countries.
We are nonetheless concerned that only 43% of funding needs were met in 2015. With our eyes set on the eventual resolution of the crisis and the return of Syrians to their homes, our assistance should not be limited to immediate life-saving assistance such as food and medical supplies, but should also cover assistance such as vocational training and educational aid to assist Syrians in their paths toward self-reliance.
The coming London Conference in February will be a critical opportunity to demonstrate the resolve and solidarity of the International Community with those suffering on the ground. We look forward to participating in the Conference, where Japan will announce, pending approval of our Diet, a substantial new assistance package. The package will include immediate relief such as food, as well as assistance towards self-reliance such as vocational training for Syrians. Our assistance will also go to surrounding countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.
Mr. President,
When UN convoys entered the besieged town of Madaya this week, OCHA reported having witnessed “people who seemed to have lost hope that the world cared about them”.
Madaya is a wake-up call of the continued suffering of millions in Syria. Here I would also like to thank France and the United Kingdom for requesting this emergency meeting, as well as Spain and New Zealand who have been instrumental in promoting crucial Council Resolutions on the issue.
We, the Council, must remain vigilant and not condone the humanitarian violations forced upon millions of Syrians.
I thank you Mr. President
