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I thank the Chinese Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of February for convening this briefing. I also thank Assistant Secretary General for the Humanitarian Affairs Kyung-wha Kang and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres for their assessments and tireless efforts. We are facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, which gravely impacts international peace and security. Trapped civilians, refugees, internally displaced people are desperately waiting for the end of this senseless bloodshed in Syria.

Numbers speak for themselves. Since the beginning of the conflict 200 000 people were killed; 12.2 million are in an immediate humanitarian need, half of whom are children; 7,6 mln. are internally displaced;  3.8 million refugees, half of whom - children.

Thousands of civilians flee their homes, seeking refuge wherever they can, some of them risking lives crossing the Mediterranean, some of them finding themselves “locked” in the war zone in no-man’s land.

The host countries - Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt - have been generous towards the Syrian refugees. To cope with this extraordinary challenge they need more aid and development assistance.

SC Resolutions 2139, 2165, and 2191 outlined key obligations under international humanitarian law that must be unconditionally respected by all parties at all times. Nothing has been done so far.

On the contrary, indiscriminate aerial bombings, including Assad’s barrel bombs, shelling by armed opposition, killings by extremists and terrorists continue every day. We witness the deliberate failings of the Assad regime to carry out its primary responsibility to protect its civilian population.

No one is immune in today’s Syria. Hundreds of medical personnel and humanitarian workers are being killed. Schools are being attacked, ransacked and destroyed. Journalists and activists documenting violations and abuses of human rights are disappearing, being detained, tortured and killed.

War crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed by the Assad regime as well as by ISIL and other extremists and terrorist groups, immense evidence of which has been documented by the Independent Commission of Inquiry. We condemn unreservedly the widespread and systematic violations of the international human right and humanitarian law and gruesome abuses and violations of human rights by all parties to the Syrian conflict.

Mr. President,

We highly value the work of OCHA, UNHCR, other UN agencies and NGO’s. Violence and insecurity, shifting conflict lines, deliberate interference with and closing of operations, obstructive administrative procedures and financial shortfalls continue to constrain humanitarian access and timely and efficient humanitarian aid across Syria. The 2015 humanitarian appeal for Syria has increased twelve-fold since the beginning of the crisis. Yet merely bits of humanitarian assistance reach those in need. It is far from being adequate to continuously help those suffering. But we have to continue. It is our moral obligation to help those in desperate need. In this regard, we sincerely welcome the upcoming Third Pledging Conference for Syria in Kuwait.

Mr President,

There is neither military nor humanitarian solution to this crisis. A political settlement must be found! The Council should do way more to push for a genuine, sustainable political solution, based on the Geneva Communiqué and inclusively addressing the aspirations and grievances of all Syrians. We support Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, in his efforts to reduce violence as a stepping stone towards an ultimately genuine Syrian-led political process.

All parties to this conflict must fully and without any further delay comply with relevant Resolutions. We fully support Secretary General’s call to immediately lift the siege of 212,000 people; ensure access of medical and surgical supplies to all parts of the country; end the practice of using the denial of key services as a weapon of war; rebuild Syria’s education system; and prohibit the use of barrel bombs.

Lastly, the Council has to live up to its affirmation to take further measures in the event of continuous non-compliance. There cannot be impunity for crimes. Perpetrators must be brought to justice. The role of the ICC must not be forgotten, although the Council’s inaction last May has created a license to all perpetrators to kill, torture and rape again. Justice and accountability are prerequisites for lasting peace in Syria for all Syrians.