(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution authorising immediate aid deliveries to over a million civilians in rebel-held areas of Syria.
President Bashar al-Assad's government won't need to consent to the deliveries, and could face punishment if it obstructs them.
Phillippa Carisbrooke reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Life-saving supplies of food and medicine should shortly be making their way across borders and conflict lines to civilians in Syria.
In the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis the often divided fifteen member UN Security Council unanimously approved the shipment of aid through four border crossings in Turkey, Iraq and Jordan, for 180 days.
Syria's government must be notified of shipments.
But Britain's Ambassador to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, says the government won't be able to control the delivery of aid as it does now.
"It means that an additional 1.3 million people can be immediately reached. As such, it marks a major step forward for the international community's efforts to respond to the horrendous suffering in Syria."
Russia and China supported the resolution after the text was softened, requiring another resolution to impose any punishment if Syria blocks the delivery of aid.
Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, says the text reflects his country's respect for Syrian sovereignty.
(Translated) "The need to follow the UN's guiding principles for the provision of humanitarian aid are reflected, as well as firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria. It's understood that humanitarian aid cannot be politically motivated."
Australia's Ambassador to the UN, Gary Quinlan, says the measure wouldn't have been necessary had Syria heeded a resolution adopted in February demanding unhindered aid access.
Last month Syria's government warned that delivering aid across its borders without its consent would amount to an attack.
Speaking after the resolution was adopted, Syria's Ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja'afari, again blamed foreign fighters for the three year conflict that has resulted in the widespread need for aid.
(Translated) "Terminating terrorism will only take place through bringing immediate pressure to bear on the governments and countries that are financing, arming and training terrorist elements, or those securing, harbouring and facilitating their passage into Syrian territory."
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