Introductory Remarks by Tracey Begley

Abstract

The discussion on humanitarian access is, unfortunately, an essential one to have right now. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that about 141 million people across thirty-seven countries are in need of humanitarian assistance. Of that, about 13.1 million people in Syria—that is twice the size of the population of the DC metro area—and 22.2 million in Yemen, just to name two countries in conflict. The operational and legal challenges to try to get even a small amount of assistance to people in need are tremendous.