Syria: needs continue to grow amid highly uncertain situation, say aid teams
The historic power shift in Syria and the still volatile situation two days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime have increased humanitarian needs in a country where nearly 17 million people, including millions of internally displaced, already depended on humanitarian aid before the recent events, UN aid teams said on Tuesday.
Since 28 November, “more than one million people – mostly women and children – have been displaced across Idlib, Aleppo, Hama and Homs. Some have reportedly been gone returning home in recent days,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to journalists in Geneva on Tuesday.
The OCHA spokesperson also noted that humanitarian operations in affected areas including Homs, Hama, and Damascus have recommenced. “As of yesterday, all humanitarian organizations in Idlib and northern Aleppo have resumed operations”, Mr. Laerke said, adding that the three border crossings from Türkiye used by the UN to deliver assistance into Syria have remained open.
UN agencies and partners are providing basic assistance in the northwest, including to those newly displaced; food, health and nutrition services have been provided, as well as support for access to clean water in Aleppo. But health facilities are reportedly overwhelmed, with major hospitals operating at limited capacity owing to shortages of staff, medicine and supplies. Humanitarian partners continue to provide trauma care, maintain blood banks and administer vaccinations.
“Money is, as always, an issue. Our $4 billion appeal for this year is currently less than a third funded”, Mr. Laerke emphasized.
According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), seven million Syrians have been displaced internally, and more than five million have fled to neighbouring countries and beyond, uprooted by almost 14 years of war. That represents half of the country's pre-war population of 23 million.
For those forced to flee, “they are considering how safe Syria is to return to, and how far their rights will be respected before they can make an informed, voluntary decision to return home. They must be given the space to do so without any pressure”, insisted Shabia Mantoo from the UN refugee agency. She reiterated that all refugees have the fundamental right to return to their country of origin at a time of their choosing, and overturns must be voluntary, dignified and safe.
Asked about the decisions by host countries in Europe to suspend decisions on Syrian asylum claims after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Ms. Mantoo reiterated that “any Syrian or anyone seeking international protection must be able to access asylum procedures and have their application examined fully and individually on its merits”.
On 27 November, a coalition of opposition forces, led by the armed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched an offensive from its stronghold of Idlib, seizing dozens of localities and the strategic cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs, before reaching the capital, Damascus.
The Syrian conflict was sparked after the suppression of a popular uprising that escalated into civil war in 2011.
Ends
Story: “Syria humanitarian update – OCHA, UNHCR” – 10 December 2024
Speakers are:
TRT: 02’22”
SOURCE: UNTV CH
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 10 December 2024 - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
Geneva Press briefing
SHOTLIST
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Friday welcomed the Nobel Peace Prize committee’s decision to name Maria Machado as this year’s laureate, in recognition of her work promoting the Venezuelan people’s democratic hopes.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNRWA , UNICEF , WHO
As Gazans jammed the main route leading north on Friday after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced, UN aid teams repeated their call to open all crossings into the devastated enclave to prevent famine spreading.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , WHO
Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians
Two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, UN humanitarians on Tuesday reiterated calls for the release of all hostages in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering, as talks on a US-driven peace plan continued in Egypt.
1
1
1
Edited News
Syria prison survivor seeks justice for the missing with UN backing.
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC
Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital
UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.
2
1
2
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.
The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF
Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire
UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
A UN Human Rights report released today details the dire situation of thousands of civilians detained since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine in 2022.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO , UNICEF
Sudan war: Life-saving cholera vaccination campaign begins in Darfur
Amid the devastating war in Sudan, UN aid teams are overcoming major obstacles to curb a cholera outbreak claiming lives across the country, with young children particularly at risk.
2
1
2
Edited News , B-roll | UN WOMEN
Women and girls still reeling from Afghanistan's recent deadly earthquake face even greater suffering rebuilding their lives and livelihoods without much more help from the international community, UN Women said on Friday.