Andy Baker, Oxfam’s lead for the Syria Crisis Response, said:
“There is absolutely no excuse for the shocking attack yesterday on an aid convoy in rural Aleppo. The aid workers on the convoy were delivering much needed help to thousands of people and Oxfam is appalled and outraged that many of them lost their lives doing so.
“This convoy had been waiting for a green light from warring parties since the ceasefire agreed by the US and Russia came into effect days ago. Everyone knew its movements. The attack should be investigated immediately and those responsible should be held to account. Attacks on aid workers are crimes under international law.
“With the Syrian military announcing the ceasefire over and an escalation in violence across the country, there is the real risk that Syria will fall even further into the abyss. Russia and the US must immediately rein in their allies on the ground, provide effective guarantees for aid workers to deliver assistance in safety and demand accountability for this attack.
Now that the UN has announced the suspension of all aid convoys, hundreds of thousands of Syrians in desperate need of help are forced to sit and wait. This situation is intolerable. World powers meeting today in New York need to act without any further delay and guarantee access to all civilians in need.”
