Fact Sheet: United Nations cross-border operations from Jordan to Syria (in November 2017) [EN/AR]

UN Security Council Resolutions 2165/2191/2258/2332

Through the unanimous adoption of resolutions 2165 (2014), 2191 (2014), 2258 (2015) and 2332 (2016) until 10 January 2018, the UN Security Council has authorized UN agencies and their partners to use routes across conflict lines and the border crossings at Bab al-Salam,
Bab al-Hawa (Turkey - Syria), Al Yarubiyah (Iraq - Syria) and Al-Ramtha (Jordan - Syria) to deliver humanitarian assistance, including medical and surgical supplies, to people in need in Syria. The government of Syria is notified in advance of each shipment and a UN monitoring mechanism has been established to oversee loading in neighboring countries and confirm the humanitarian nature of consignments.

Sector Classifications

Food: food baskets

Shelter/NFI: dignity kits, blankets, jerry cans, kitchen sets, sleeping mats, mattresses, winterization kits, tarpaulins, tents

WASH: basic water kits for families, water purification tablets, hygiene kits for families and babies, sanitary napkins, diapers Health: emergency health kits, surgical kits, reproductive health kits, midwifery kits, medical consumables

Education: learning materials

Nutrition: supplementary spreads

Potential Gaps

Despite the halt in airstrikes in southern Syria, sporadic clashes continue in Dar’a governorate targeting Dar’a city, Dar’a al Balad, Da’el and in Manshiyah neighborhoods, no civilian casualties and no notable displacements have been reported.

As of 24 November, the conflict levels between ISIL-affiliated Jaysh Khaled Bin El-Walid (JKBW) and Non-state armed groups had decreased significantly, which enabled the UN convoys to dispatch humanitarian assistances to the north-west of Dar’a and Quneitra Governorates. Nevertheless, the JKBW presence in Hawd al Yarmouk -Western Dar’a Governorate remains a security risk for the UN convoys and renewed fighting could see gaps emerge, particularly in winterization response, should the UN convoy not be able to access the route north of Nawa.

Humanitarian Response

During the month, the UN and their humanitarian partners continued regular cross border operations to meet humanitarian needs in the south. As a preparedness measure for a number of contingency scenarios, the sectors continue to increase their prepositioning of humanitarian items in the south.