The United Nations has announced that it has ended cross-border humanitarian aid operations from Turkey to Syria, after more than 11 years of its continuity.
This came in the words of the spokesman of the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, during his daily press conference held in New York, late on the night of Monday, May 4, 2026.
Dujarric noted that the United Nations has ended cross-border humanitarian aid operations from Turkey to Syria, as a result of the reopening of crossings to commercial traffic and improved access through normal supply routes.
He pointed out that the Cross-Border Aid Mechanism through Turkey has played an "important role" for many years, adding, "During each year of its work, this mechanism has succeeded in delivering more than 65,000 trucks loaded with vital humanitarian aid across the border, with the aim of supporting about 1.25 million people."
The UN official explained that the termination of this mechanism coincided with the expansion of opportunities for the delivery of aid to Syria through normal trade channels, and with the gradual return of important trade links.
At the same time, Dujarric stressed that the need for humanitarian assistance in Syria is "still high", noting that more than 13 million Syrians are in need of food aid, 12 million people need access to clean water, while about 13 million people also depend on support for health services.
OCHA: 65,000 trucks introduced in 11 years
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described the mechanism for the entry of cross-border humanitarian aid from Turkey to northern Syria as one of the longest and most complex logistical operations in the history of international humanitarian action.
In a statement published on its website, OCHA's office revealed that the mechanism has seen more than 65,000 aid trucks sent through crossings such as Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salama since its implementation began 11 years ago, specifically in 2014.
The UN office said that the suspension of the mechanism comes in light of the changing conditions on the ground and the reopening of crossings for commercial traffic, in addition to improved access through internal supply lines, which prompted the UN to shift towards a new model based on "long-term development" instead of the emergency response that has governed humanitarian action over the past years.
Establishing a unified fund centered in Damascus
The OCHA office stated that the management of resources will be transferred to a unified fund based in Damascus, which means the end of the "Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund" that was managed from abroad, noting that the implementation of the decision was preceded by a transitional phase that actually began on December 31, 2025, with operations halted before the final closure was announced in May 2026.
UN reports indicate a significant increase in the number of voluntary returnees from Turkey, with about 600,000 Syrians returning during the first half of 2025 alone, putting additional pressure on basic services in the northern regions.
The next phase will depend on "broader local partnerships" and strengthening the capacity of Syrian institutions to manage early recovery programmes, OCHA said, as aid organisations continue to warn of a large gap between the size of needs and available funding.