Press release

Priti Patel statement on aid convoy attacks in Syria

International Development Secretary responds to UN aid convoy attacks near Aleppo.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State for International Development, Rt Hon Priti Patel MP

Responding to the aid convoy attacks from the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel said:

This appalling incident comes as world leaders are meeting at UNGA in New York where I will discuss how we can help those in desperate need inside Syria.

Yesterday people died while they were selflessly delivering humanitarian assistance to those in dire need. My deepest condolences go out to all of those whom have been affected. They chose to try and make a difference by bringing aid to people whom have been denied both the most basic of human necessities and the hope that they might one day live in peace. These extremely brave humanitarians represent the best of us, while those who prolong the suffering in Syria represent quite the opposite.

The death of those who are trying to bring hope to a country which has known little more than conflict, violence and hunger for six years is yet another act of barbarity. The result is that more people in Syria will now go without the lifesaving support they need. We will only solve this humanitarian crisis if a lasting solution to the conflict can be found.

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Published 20 September 2016