UN / SYRIA NGO REAX

United Nations (UN) spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the organization would continue to engage with the Syrian NGO Alliance after receiving a letter from the group regarding their “participation” in the a nationwide information sharing programme. UNIFEED-UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:45
• Production Date: 8 September 2016
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: STEPHANE DUJARRIC
• Subject Topical: CONFLICT SITUATION; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
• Geographic Subject: SYRIA
• MAMS Id: 1703434
• Parent Id: 1703434
• Alternate Title: unifeed160908d

Description

STORY: UN / SYRIA NGO REAX
TRT: 01:45
SOURCE: UNIFEED-UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 08 SEPTEMBER 2016, NEW YORK CITY

Shotlist

RECENT - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, UNHQ exterior

08 SEPTEMBER 2016, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, press room
3. Med shot, reporters
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson, United Nations:
“The people who are putting their lives at risk in Syria to deliver humanitarian aid are the Syrians themselves. The vast majority of humanitarian workers are Syrians. They’re all tremendous partners to the United Nations. We will continue the dialogue with those agencies that have signed on to this letter.”
5. Wide shot, press room
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson, United Nations:
“We have never been shy of raising our voices when issues have arose, whether it’s the government systematically removing surgical items from aid convoys, not giving us the permissions that we need to deliver aid in government-controlled areas. We will continue to raise our voices when necessary and unfortunately that is almost every day.”
7. Med shot, reporter asking question
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson, United Nations:
“The UN is the UN. We are not international NGOs. We’re not NGOs. We work within certain parameters. We work in partnership with Member States. That’s the way we operate in 193 countries. Despite those challenges, we continue to deliver aid to people regardless of their affiliation, regardless of where they are. We cannot shoot our way thorough road blocks.”
9. Zoom out, Dujarric leaving podium

Storyline

United Nations (UN) spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the organization would continue to engage with the Syrian NGO Alliance after receiving a letter from the group regarding their “participation” in the a nationwide information sharing programme.

Speaking to reporters in New York today (8 Sep), Dujarric recognized the tremendous work of Syrian NGOs, “who are often the first responders on the front lines, to provide assistance to millions of Syrians in desperate need of assistance.”

Media reports indicated that the group of over 70 Syrian NGOs suspended their cooperation with the UN and called for a transparent investigation over claims of “significant and substantial” influence over the organizations operations in Syria.

Dujarric said every aspect of the context in which the UN operates in Syria was extremely challenging. He said the Syrian government, like some other governments, insisted that UN agencies work with a list of authorised UN partners, of which the UN can then chose. Dujarric added that the number of suppliers was also limited as the country was in conflict. He said the UN also worked with “local partners there that may not be authorized by the government” in areas that we not under government control. He said the UN’s focus was on getting food and basic supplies to the Syrian people regardless of their location, political or ethnic affiliation, or religious beliefs.

The spokesperson said after more than five years of conflict, he was not surprised that the NGOs were frustrated with the situation. However, he said the UN worked in partnership with Member States and despite the challenges continued to deliver aid to people. Dujjaric stressed, “We cannot shoot our way thorough road blocks.”