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