Syria

Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)
15.  What contribution the UK is making to international provision for displaced Syrians.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)
The UK is leading international efforts to help the estimated 4.1 million Syrian refugees in the region and 6.5 million internally displaced people. So far we have provided £241 million in life-saving support to civilians caught up in the  conflict and allocated £292 million to help refugees and host communities in neighbouring countries.

Fiona Bruce
Is my right hon. Friend concerned by reports from Open Doors that 3,000 Christians have fled their homes in Kessab, in northern Syria, in the past few days owing to fighters of the al-Nusra Front and ISIS entering north-west Syria from Turkey? Ethnic conflict is increasing there and aid cannot get through. Has he made representations to the relevant authorities about Turkey’s porous borders?

Mr Hague
We are very concerned about reports of violence and of people being displaced in Kessab. It is difficult to establish accurate numbers, but we are working closely with the Turkish Government to restrict the ability of foreign fighters to cross into Syria. I have discussed that recently with the Foreign Minister of Turkey.

Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab)
It has been promised many times, but what progress has been made on gaining unimpeded humanitarian access in Syria?

Mr Hague
Very little progress has been made, despite the successful passing of UN Security Council resolution 2139, which included the authorisation of cross-border access. The Security Council is due to review the position every 30 days, and at the coming review we will press strongly for full use to be made of what is authorised in that resolution.