(OCHA) – Statement by ERC Stephen O’Brien – I am disgusted and horrified by the news that a United Nations/Syrian Arab Red Crescent convoy was hit this evening in Urum al-Kubra (Big Orem), northwest of Aleppo city. Initial reports indicate that many people have been killed or seriously injured, including SARC volunteers, as a result of these sickening attacks. A SARC warehouse was also hit and a SARC health clinic was also reportedly severely damaged. I condemn what happened in Urum al-Kubra in the strongest possible terms. Notification of the convoy – which planned to reach some 78,000 people – had been provided to all parties to the conflict and the convoy was clearly marked as humanitarian. There can be no explanation or excuse, no reason or rationale for waging war on brave and selfless humanitarian workers trying to reach their fellow citizens in desperate need of assistance. Our hearts go out to the families of lost loved ones and our solidarity is with the injured.
