The International, Impartial and Independent Commission for Syria (IIIM) has completed a historic visit to the capital Damascus, stressing the need to preserve evidence related to the most serious international crimes before it is destroyed.
Fuel crisis, road blocked
U.N. spokeswoman Stephanie Tremblay told a regular news conference at her headquarters in New York on Monday that essential services, including hospitals and health centers, had been severely affected.
In Aleppo province in particular, six government hospitals and 60 primary health centers are partially functioning due to the energy crisis.
He said supply chains are also being disrupted due to damaged bridges connecting the capital Damascus with other major areas.
“We and our partners continue to support the relief response as much as possible despite the challenges,” the spokesperson said, adding, “We are distributing food aid including bread, ready-to-eat rations, hot meals. Food baskets.”
He also said that in northwestern Syria, humanitarian partners have begun providing in-kind support to farmers, including cash aid.
Access difficulties
In northeast Syria, the poor security situation has hampered aid operations, but some critical goods have been delivered.
A UN spokesperson said UN partner agencies and organizations have been able to distribute winter protection kits, blankets and winter clothing, but more aid is needed.
There is also a critical need for additional support for communities hosting displaced people to cope with the winter.
Humanitarian partners have reported challenges reaching Menbij and Kobani due to insecurity. Additionally, civilian infrastructure has been damaged by Israeli airstrikes in Latakia and incursions into the southern governorate.
Protection of important evidence
On the other hand, the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM), after concluding its visit to the capital Damascus, called for the preservation of evidence related to the country’s most serious international crimes, before it is completely destroyed. Emphasis was placed on necessity.
The UN General Assembly, through a resolution in 2016, established the Independent Process for Syria, which allowed for the first time to visit Syria.
The visit is an important step towards fulfilling the mechanism’s mandate to assist in the investigation and prosecution of the most serious crimes committed during the Syrian war.
Robert Pettit, head of the Syria Independent Mechanism, called the visit an “important milestone” and a rare opportunity to discuss justice and accountability with the Syrian authorities.
He also highlighted the need to preserve evidence before destroying it forever.
“Time is running out. There is only a small window left to protect these places and the materials they contain. Every day we fail to do so, we risk losing the opportunity for greater accountability,” said Robert Pettit.