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<p>The UK has pledged over £1.1 billion in response to the crisis in Syria and the
region, making us the second largest bilateral donor after the US. By the end of June
2015, UK support inside Syria and in the surrounding region had, for example, delivered
almost 20 million food rations that feed one person for a month; over 2.5 million
medical consultations; and relief items for 4.6 million people. We have provided ongoing
support to the UN and international NGOs (INGOs) since the start of the conflict to
deliver aid in hard to reach and besieged areas of Syria.</p><p>The UK will consider
any option compliant with international law that might save lives in Syria. We rule
nothing out. However, the use of air drops is high risk and should only be considered
as a last resort when all other means have failed.</p><p>Attempting air drops without
the consent of the parties to the conflict may risk undermining ongoing negotiations
on humanitarian access to the 4.5 million people in hard to reach areas across Syria.
Even in uncontested space air drops poise significant challenges. There is a requirement
to identify clear drop zones, ensure safe access for the intended recipients and to
co-ordinate with authorities on the ground. Instead, the UN, the Red Cross Movement
and NGO partners are best placed to deliver aid to vulnerable people in besieged and
hard to reach areas.</p><p>The desperate situation in besieged and hard to reach areas
shows why we need the international community to come together at the London Conference
for Syria and the Region on 4 February to support immediate needs and identify longer-term
solutions to address the needs of those affected by the crisis.</p>
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