The Syrian government further hampers UN efforts to meet the growing humanitarian needs in Syria, which has been categorised as a civil war by the Red Cross.
Speaking after chairing the humanitarian forum in Geneva, the U.N official for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, John Ging, said,
“We have a number of visas pending for international staff from a number of Western countries- the United States, Canada, the UK, France and one or two more- that are refused their visas because of their nationalities”
Ging made clear that even though Syrian officials were respecting most aspects of a humanitarian delivery agreement reached with the United Nations six weeks ago, the holding back of visas to international aid agency staff was not acceptable.
“That is something we object to very strongly” he said.
Ging spoke at forum where the United Nations and other international relief agencies appealed for $189 million to help provide aid to civilians residing in Syria. The United States and European Union have pledged increased financial support.
The humanitarian crisis is set to substantially magnify due to the increased conflict amidst a reduced harvest in Syria this year.
