UN humanitarian adviser urges support for Syrian humanitarian priorities

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, June 28, 2019
Adjust font size:

GENEVA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Najat Rochdi, Senior Humanitarian Adviser to the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, on Thursday urged Member States to support the UN's immediate humanitarian priorities in Syria.

She issued a statement after the meeting of the Syria Humanitarian Task Force in Geneva.

Rochdi said that in the "de-escalation area" in northwestern Syria, "an unacceptable level of violence continues to affect civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure."

Areas in the countryside of Hama, Idlib and the western countryside of Aleppo are included in the de-escalation zones deal reached between Russia and Turkey in September 2018.

The deal failed to materialize as the al-Qaida-linked groups expanded in Idlib and started attacks on Syrian military positions instead of withdrawing from the designated zone which combines Idlib with Hama and Aleppo countryside as well as mountain areas in the eastern countryside of Latakia province.

"Syria continues to be one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world," said Rochdi.

"Despite a difficult operating environment, on average 6 million people continue to be reached with some form of humanitarian assistance each month, with response prioritized according to the severity of needs."

The UN official said that action must be taken to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the military conflict.

"More than 300 civilians have been killed, including many women and children. Just last week, reports reached us of an ambulance struck through aerial bombardment," said the UN official.

She said that three medical workers providing crucial rescue assistance, and a female patient they were bringing for hospital care were killed.

Some 330,000 people have been displaced since the fighting escalated, said the UN adviser, explaining that people are always on the move searching for safety.

"We have received reports of some people having to leave their homes an average of five times since the start of the conflict, some have been displaced more than 10 times," she said.

Rochdi also said that in Rukban, some 27,000 people, lacking the most basic of services, remain in dire need of humanitarian and protection assistance.

She also said that some 73,000 people remain in Al Hol camp in northeastern Syria, the vast majority are women and children, including some newborns.

The UN official noted, "the situation for the thousands of children" who remain there "remains shameful."

Rochdi noted that the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan requires 3.3 billion U.S. dollars to assist more than 11 million Syrians in 2019.

"Today, the operation is only 23 percent funded," said the UN official. Enditem

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter