United States Mission to the United Nations
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
For Immediate Release
July 3, 2023
Readout of Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Meeting with Chief Executive Officers of CARE, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, and Save the Children
The below is attributable to U.S. Mission to the United Nations Spokesperson Nate Evans:
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, met today with leaders of non-governmental organizations working to meet the dire needs of millions of Syrians.
The NGO leaders briefed Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield on the humanitarian crisis inside Syria, worsened by the February earthquakes, and emphasized the importance of extending and expanding the UN’s cross-border aid mechanism. They outlined the need for a resolution that reauthorizes UN deliveries for 12 months through all three crossing points currently in use. The Ambassador thanked the NGOs for their advocacy and assessments and reiterated that the United States, in concert with likeminded members of the Security Council, is joining the NGOs in strongly fighting for a 12-month cross-border resolution. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield underscored the need for unhindered humanitarian access throughout Syria and expressed a view that humanitarian needs on the ground should guide the Council’s actions.
The United States remains steadfast in our commitment to the Syrian people, and we urge other donors to increase their contributions to the response as Syrians continue to face severe challenges from years of war, terrorism, and natural disaster.
In June, the United States announced $920 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance for Syria. This funding will enable U.S. government partnered NGOs in the region to continue life-saving support to vulnerable Syrians through the provision of emergency food, nutrition, agriculture, healthcare, protection services, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance. This assistance will benefit many of the 15.3 million Syrians as well as 5.6 million Syrian refugees and host communities in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt.
Total U.S. government humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region is $1.1 billion in FY 2023 and almost $16.9 billion since the start of the 12-year crisis.
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