Syria 13 years of war OSE Syria - UNHCR
/
2:48
/
MP4
/
205.7 MB

Edited News | OSE , UNHCR

Syria 13 years of war OSE Syria - UNHCR

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. Exterior medium shot: UN flag alley
  2. Medium shot: speakers at the podium during press conference
  3. SOUNDBITE (English) – Jenifer Fenton, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria: “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. Syrians have long endured unspeakable violence and devastation, indiscriminately impacting the young and old, men and women across all societal strata.”
  4. Medium shot: speakers at the podium from behind with screen in front of them
  5. SOUNDBITE (English) – Jenifer Fenton, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria:” The Special Envoy 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.”
  6. Medium shot: speakers at the podium from behind with journalists in the room
  7. SOUNDBITE (English) – Matthew Saltmarsh, Spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR): “Syria remains the world's largest displacement crisis by UNHCR’s counting. As Syrians 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.”
  8. Wide shot: Journalists in the press room
  9. SOUNDBITE (English) – Matthew Saltmarsh, Spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR): “13 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.”
  10. Medium shot: speakers at the podium from the side with journalists in the room
  11. SOUNDBITE (English) - Matthew Saltmarsh, Spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR): “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.”
  12. Wide shot, journalists in press room
  13. SOUNDBITE (English) - Matthew Saltmarsh, Spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR):” 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. 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.”
  14. Close up, journalist listening
  15. Wide shot: speakers at the podium during press conference
  16. Medium shot: journalist typing in laptop


Audio Files 1
Download Syria 13 years of war OSE Syria - UNHCR (Edited Story)
Download

Similar Stories

Funding cuts impact on aid access - UNHCR Dominique Hyde - 18 July 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNHCR , UNOG

Funding cuts impact on aid access - UNHCR Dominique Hyde - 18 July 2025 ENG FRA

Over 11.6 million refugees risk losing aid access due to funding cuts, says UNHCR

Approximately one in three refugees and other vulnerable individuals normally supported by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) are expected to lose out from funding cuts, it said on Friday.

UN Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani on opening mission in Bangladesh

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani on opening mission in Bangladesh ENG FRA

Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, made the following announcement on the Office’s opening of a new mission in Bangladesh.

UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on returns of Afghans

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on returns of Afghans ENG FRA

The surge in the number of Afghans forced or compelled to return to Afghanistan this year is creating a multi-layered human rights crisis requiring the urgent attention of the international community,” UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said on Friday.  

UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on violence in Suweida, Syria

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on violence in Suweida, Syria ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday called for accountability and justice for the killings and other gross human rights violations and abuses in the southern city of Suweida. 

Syria Sweida violence OHCHR – UNHCR 18 July 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNHCR

Syria Sweida violence OHCHR – UNHCR 18 July 2025 ENG FRA

Syria: hundreds killed in Sweida, ‘widespread’ violations as civilians flee for their lives

Amid violent clashes in southern Syria’s Sweida governorate, a picture of grave human rights abuses and rising humanitarian needs is emerging by the hour, the UN said on Friday.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Liz Throssell on Ukraine

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Liz Throssell on Ukraine ENG

At the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva the UN Human Rights Spokesperson Liz Throssell made the following statement on the latest number of civilian casualties in Ukraine.

UN Human Rights Briefing on West Bank

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Briefing on West Bank ENG FRA

The UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday called for investigations into hundreds of killings of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank by Israeli security forces and settlers, warning against ongoing forced mass displacement of the Palestinian population.

Gaza And Occupied West Bank Update - OHCHR, UNRWA  15 July 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR , UNRWA

Gaza And Occupied West Bank Update - OHCHR, UNRWA 15 July 2025 ENG FRA

Nearly 900 people have been killed in Gaza in recent weeks trying to fetch food, with most deaths linked to private aid hubs run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on escalating gang violence  in Haiti

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on escalating gang violence in Haiti ENG FRA

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the UN Human Rights Office have today released a report detailing the evolution of violent gang incidents beyond the capital Port-au-Prince since October 2024 up to June 2025, and the resulting loss of life and mass displacement. 

Gaza Deir Al Balah killings OHCHR - WHO 11 July 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , OHCHR

Gaza Deir Al Balah killings OHCHR - WHO 11 July 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: ‘Unacceptable’ choice between getting shot or getting fed – UN humanitarians 

Following the deaths of several children in an Israeli strike on Palestinians waiting in line for nutritional supplements in central Gaza on Thursday, UN humanitarians have once again condemned the killings of people at aid distribution sites in the enclave. 

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on recent violence in Kenya

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on recent violence in Kenya ENG FRA

At the United Nations bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights made the following comments on the recent violence in Kenya.

US tariffs impact - ITC

1

1

1

Edited News | ITC

US tariffs impact - ITC ENG FRA

US tariffs uncertainty hurts world economy, with poorest countries hit hardest – top UN economist

A new US decision to further delay the end of a 90-day pause on tariffs is bad for business, a top UN economist said on Tuesday.