Thread by @NatashaHallDC

So much here in Beasley's statement that endangers #humanitarianism and the #UN as a credible humanitarian actor. #Syria #Syria_earthquake 🧵reuters.com/world/middle-e…

1) "Crossline aid has nothing to do w/ the humanitarian response. It is a political decision," As one career UN official told me who worked on the Syria response.

Why should that be clear to anyone that has worked on #Syria or picked up a newspaper in the past 12 years?...

2) The majority of the 4-5 million people in NW Syria have been besieged, attacked, and forcibly displaced by the Syrian regime. For this obvious reason, many people living in the NW also do not want XL aid, as shown in many polls. This is not about HTS.

They are not being difficult for not wanting to be placed under the thumb of the same regime when 3 border crossings are open to #UN #aid. That is forcing them to make a political concession under the guise of humanitarianism.

3) So-called cross-line aid is not properly coordinated or monitored because the regime refuses to allow UN actors to work with those working on the ground in NW Syria, deeming these humanitarian actors terrorists. So WFP had to contract a separate actor to deliver this aid.

4) Physical XL line amounts to less than half a percent of cross-border aid. Unclear why we are even discussing this with - once again - mulitple other modalities

5) Aid is not just trucks - it's salaries, cash assistance, hospital maintenance, WASH, educational facilities, search and rescue, psycho-social support etc... This cannot be done cross-line.

6) Criticizing the NW when they didn't see any support through useable border crossings for days after a biblical earthquake is breathtaking.

7) "Our operation is about $50 million a month for our earthquake response alone so unless Europe wants a new wave of refugees, we need to get the support we need," Beasley said. Sorry was that the WFP Director threatening Europe with refugees? End.