Written question asked by Stephen Twigg (Labour) on Friday, 18 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 October 2019 (named day). It was answered by Andrew Murrison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 October 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Syria: Humanitarian Aid

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he made to (a) parties to the conflict in north east Syria and (b) countries that have borders with Syria on keeping cross-border points (i) open and (ii) accessible to humanitarian aid (A) workers and (B) supplies.

Answer: We joined EU partners in a statement urging all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and unhindered, safe and sustainable humanitarian access throughout Syria including for humanitarian aid workers and supplies. We have also repeatedly called on all parties to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law. We are in close contact with the authorities in Turkey and in Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on the situation in north-east Syria including on the need for humanitarian access. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Secondary information