Syria Crisis: More than 280,000 Uprooted in Northwest Escalation
December 6, 2024
Damascus, Syria – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that more than 280,000 people have been displaced in the northwest of Syria within the past week, as fighting between government forces and rebel groups intensifies.
The escalation began on November 28 with a heavy artillery bombardment by government forces and airstrikes on rebel-held areas in the Idlib Governorate. The offensive has since displaced hundreds of thousands of people, who have fled their homes in search of safety.
The majority of those displaced are women and children, who are particularly vulnerable to the harsh winter conditions. Many families are now living in overcrowded camps or informal settlements, lacking adequate food, shelter, and medical care.
“The situation in northwest Syria is extremely critical,” said UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch. “Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes in a matter of days, and the number of displaced is growing rapidly.”
The escalation has also caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and mosques. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that at least 50 schools have been hit by airstrikes or shelling.
The international community has condemned the violence and called for an immediate ceasefire. The UN Security Council has issued a statement expressing “grave concern” over the escalation in the fighting and calling for all parties to respect international humanitarian law.
The displaced population is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The UNHCR is appealing for $30 million to provide emergency shelter, food, water, and other essential services to those affected by the violence.
The escalation in northwest Syria has added to the already dire humanitarian crisis in the country. More than 11 million people have been displaced within Syria since the conflict began in 2011, and an estimated 4 million people have fled to neighboring countries.
The international community must continue to pressure the parties to the conflict to end the violence and allow humanitarian access to those in need. The Syrian people have suffered enough, and they deserve a just and lasting peace.
Syria crisis: More than 280,000 uprooted in northwest escalation
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