UN Envoy Calls for Increased Aid for Syria in Damascus Visit
Damascus, December 15, 2024 – The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for increased humanitarian aid to the war-torn country during a visit to Damascus on Thursday.
Pedersen met with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and other senior government officials to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria. He urged the international community to provide more financial and logistical support to humanitarian organizations operating in the country.
“The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire,” Pedersen said in a statement after the meeting. “Millions of people are still in need of basic assistance, including food, shelter, healthcare, and education.”
Pedersen highlighted the need for increased cross-border aid deliveries to reach the millions of Syrians who live in areas controlled by the opposition. He also called for the lifting of sanctions that are hindering the flow of humanitarian aid into Syria.
“We need to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all Syrians in need, regardless of where they live or who controls the territory,” Pedersen said.
The Syrian government has repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions, which it says are preventing the country from rebuilding and providing for its people. The United States and the European Union maintain the sanctions, arguing that they are necessary to pressure the government to end the conflict and respect human rights.
The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011, has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions more. The war has also caused widespread destruction of infrastructure and the collapse of the economy.
The UN estimates that around 14.6 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance. Of these, 6.9 million are internally displaced and 3.6 million are refugees in neighboring countries.
The UN has launched a Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria for 2024, seeking $5.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance to 13.4 million people. However, the plan is currently only 38% funded.
Pedersen urged the international community to step up its support for the humanitarian response in Syria. He said that the current level of funding is insufficient to meet the needs of the millions of Syrians who are struggling to survive.
“We cannot turn our backs on the people of Syria,” Pedersen said. “They have suffered enough. We must do everything we can to help them rebuild their lives and their country.”
UN envoy calls for increased aid for Syria in Damascus visit
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