Syria: highest number of people ever require aid after 13 years of conflict
Nearly three-quarters of Syria's population, more than 16.7 million people, are currently in need of aid - the highest number ever since the conflict began in 2011, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
“The solemn anniversary of the conflict is tragically marked by heightened regional tensions and concerning developments throughout Syria as it enters its 14th year without a political solution in sight”, said Jenifer Fenton, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria. “Syrians have long endured unspeakable violence and devastation, indiscriminately impacting the young and old, men and women across all societal strata.”
The ongoing conflict has devastated the country’s infrastructure, leaving many without basic services, and plunging over 90 percent of Syrians into poverty.
Quoting the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, Ms. Fenton said that he “salutes the resilience and courage Syrians show in the face of their deepening suffering. But at the same time, his message is clear: Only the unwavering pursuit of a political solution to end this conflict can restore hope to the Syrian people.”
As Syria’s humanitarian crisis continue to intensify, refugees and internally displaced people continue to lack the necessary condition for a safe, dignified and voluntary return.
“Syria remains the world's largest displacement crisis by UNHCR’s counting,” Matthew Saltmarsh, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) told reporters at the United Nations in Geneva. “As Syrian needs have rocketed, just at a time when prices have risen, resources are more scarce and funding is dwindling, leaving millions at risk of hunger, illness, abuse and indignity.”
According to UNHCR, 16.7 million people inside Syria need aid and 12.9 million people are food insecure - meaning that they lack regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development, and for an active and healthy life) in neighboring countries. Over 19 million people, including refugees and the host communities, will need humanitarian assistance this year.
“Thirteen years ago, the Syrian crisis broke. It forced more than 12 million women, children and men to flee for their safety, both inside and outside the country. The displaced have suffered hugely and they continue to do. So now more than ever, they need the world's support,” he said, adding that “16.7 million people need aid and 12.9 million people are food insecure. In neighboring countries over 19 million people, including refugees and the host communities, will need humanitarian assistance this year.”
Compounding these problems is the fact that aid for the Syria crisis is chronically underfunded, UNHCR says. The Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan for Syria in 2023 was only about 30 percent funded. The decline in refugee aid funding, which has dropped by half since 2018, has forced UNHCR and humanitarian partners to prioritize critical needs and reduce aid. As the need for aid has increased in 2024, UNHCR has to cut cash assistance and the World Food Programme (WFP) is assisting 88,000 fewer refugee families with cash and food assistance than last year. Mr. Saltmarsh stressed that “the lack of funding also risks pushing more children into labor, accentuating gender-based violence, early marriages and school dropouts.”
“In the aftermath of last year's devastating earthquake, there has been a further compounding of the suffering for Syrians.," Mr. Saltmarsh added. " Thousands of those displaced by the quakes remain outside their homes. And, of course, the war in Gaza has raised concerns about a regional spillover that could complicate an already dire situation further.”
-ends-
STORY: Syria 13 years of war – OSE Syria, UNHCR
TRT: 2:48”
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 15 March 2024 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
DRC faces a severe humanitarian crisis with 25M in need and rising conflict-related issues.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNRWA
A gimmer of good news emerged from Gaza on Tuesday as patients returned to at a newly reopened UN health centre in Khan Younis, six months after it was severely damaged and forced to close by heavy fighting, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN condemns attacks on Kyiv hospitals, calls for immediate action to protect civilians.
1
1
2
Edited News | WHO
In Gaza, soaring temperatures, hunger and unsanitary conditions present an ever more deadly threat to a population under constant attack, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , WMO , IFRC
Hurricane Beryl smashes into Caribbean, turns sights on Mexico As Hurricane Beryl’s destructive path shifted to Mexico on Friday after roiling the Caribbean, UN agencies and partners said that the emergency response was underway, before warning that a very long and damaging hurricane season looks increasingly likely.
1
1
2
Edited News | IOM , mcc , UNHCR
Refugees and migrants continue to face extreme forms of violence, exploitation and death on sea and on land across Africa as they attempt to leave the continent, UN agencies said on Friday, in an appeal to border authorities to do more to protect them.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk at the 56th Human Rigths Council, made the following update on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNRWA , WHO
New evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army for areas in southern Gaza are expected to impact 250,000 people, including eastern Khan Younis and Rafah, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNRWA , WHO
Gaza: People are desperate, they need everything, says UN aid agency Panic and desperation now grip ordinary Gazans struggling to survive, UN humanitarians said on Friday, amid fuel shortages of fuel and dwindling supplies that have prevented aid teams from doing their job.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA
UN aid teams and partner organizations remain deeply committed to delivering lifesaving supplies into Gaza, despite the increasing dangers of working there, the Organization’s top aid official said on Wednesday.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | UNRWA
Every day in Gaza 10 children lose one or both legs, says top UN aid official There’s been no let-up in the terrible human cost of the war in Gaza where 10 children lose one or both legs every day, amid ongoing Israeli bombardment and renewed fears of famine, a top UN aid official said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA
A UN humanitarian freshly back from Gaza described on Tuesday seeing families dig makeshift septic tanks with spoons and shell-shocked toddlers who lost limbs under Israeli bombing, amid continuing obstacles to aid delivery.