Good morning, everyone. And apologies for this slight delay.
We had a bit of technical difficulties getting Damascus online,
but here we are. So welcome, everyone joining
have with us today. I'm very pleased about that, Mr Adam Abdel
Mullah, who is the resident co ordinator and humanitarian co ordinator. So the
UN humanitarian official in Syria,
give some introductory remarks to speak about
the situation as it is. And then we will go straight to your questions. So with that,
Mullah over to you. Thank you.
Uh, thank you very much. And, uh good morning, everyone.
the urgency of the humanitarian situation in Syria today
a very grim anniversary of the Syria crisis.
13 years since its beginning
the needs of the people have grown exponentially.
The numbers speak for themselves.
a staggering 16.7 million people require
some form of humanitarian assistance in Syria
an increase from 15.3 million in 2023
Over 7 million people are internally displaced
and nearly as many are refugees in other countries.
A majority are in neighbouring uh countries uh Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey et cetera.
At least 12.9 million people
The Syria crisis remains one of the most deadly civilians
Hostilities continue to plague various parts of Syria
and have recently seen a sharp spike,
454 civilians, including 88 women
were killed as a result of the conflict.
The ongoing escalation in Gaza,
the West Bank, Israel and South Lebanon
had spill over effects, including
on affected populations and critical civilian infrastructure.
Uh, across uh, the Syrian territory.
Serious vulnerability to climate shocks exacerbated
by conflict includes water scarcity.
355 cubic metres per capita,
in 2023 affecting water access
The devastating earthquake
in February last year wreaked havoc on a situation
that was already catastrophic.
The earthquake killed some 6000 people
and injured more than 12,800 in Syria, increasing the strain on services,
and inflicting widespread damage.
The economy is in free fall.
The Syrian currency continues
to devaluate, plummet at lightning speeds
for the most basic commodities soar.
This is exacerbated by the collapse of basic social services
and the lack of development assistance.
There is limited flexibility for humanitarian partners to meet
only immediate life saving needs.
Due to the increased and deepening vulnerability
we hear daily how people are forced to forgo meals,
pull their Children from school so they can help support families
or mothers choosing to skip their medications
in order to feed their Children.
Syrians are increasingly driven to desperate measures
as they undertake treacherous journeys to
other countries in search of opportunities.
they pay the ultimate price for these dangerous endeavours.
No human being should have to risk
his or her life in search of a decent life.
when people are pushed to the brink,
they may be exploited by radical extremist groups,
Since the escalation in Gaza began
We have already seen multiple calls by Isis
inciting revenge attacks worldwide, including against Arab governments
unquote protecting Israel.
again 4.07 billion to provide life saving aid
out of 16.7 million people
to be in need of assistance.
As the needs continue to rapidly increase,
the ability of humanitarian partners to respond adequately
As of the first of March,
humanitarian response plan requirements have been funded.
This means that partners are facing challenges
in scaling up the much needed response,
with life saving programmes
and services being curtailed
scaled back for unable to meet saving needs.
With so many crises taking place concurrently around the globe,
we are facing a situation in which we're effectively scooping out water
from a quickly sinking ship.
Despite the enormous challenges
and the complex operating environment in Syria,
partners were able to reach 6.8 million people
in need every month in 2023. Today
we are facing an unprecedented situation in Syria,
one that we cannot afford to ignore.
Inaction will be costly for all of us
and will inevitably lead to additional suffering.
about 2.3 million women of reproductive age,
including 500,000 pregnant and lactating women,
may lose access to vital reproductive and
Millions more will go hungry.
Vulnerable people will not benefit from essential shelter interventions
for displaced individuals will be under serve
heightening the risks in 2024
out of school Children will lose the chance to return to school,
the number could grow to 4 million by the end
This will ultimately jeopardise the country's chances to have a young generation
that can meaningfully contribute
a path to stability and peace.
Humanitarian assistance provides
the last line of defence for the crisis affected the population.
In the absence of a political solution
and a sustained and meaningful humanitarian assistance,
the country risks further disintegration
a further disintegrated Syria
could destabilise the whole region.
from the senior officials meeting,
which will be followed by the a
Brussels conference on Syria.
Discussions about the future of the people of Syria
must translate to real action.
of humanitarian assistance.
This means ensuring people can be rich regardless of where they live.
This means that partners are enabled to scale up interventions
this means medium and long term investment
into restoring basic services
and livelihoods through early recovery and resilience Programming.
people will slide deeper into poverty
and the situation will continue
Mullah. Indeed, they deserve better. We will go to questions. Now.
I just remind correspondents that we have sent the
remarks to you in advance to check against delivery. First on my list is Isabel
News Agency. Over to you, Isabel.
Good morning. Thank you very much. Yes.
Um, I would like to ask, uh on, um if, uh
um you can elaborate on the situation.
Um, on the, uh, on the spill over that you mentioned, uh, of the hostilities
between Israel and Lebanon and Lebanon.
how this is affecting, um, the humanitarian situation
I would like to ask you on your comment
on the depoli organisation of the humanitarian assistance.
Um, a change in this situation,
given the fact that the the same government that led
the country to this situation is still of power.
make AAA comment on this Thank you.
Ok, uh, on the spill over of the Gaza crisis in Syria, there are, um, um,
One aspect is the fact that
in the air attacks by the ID F targeting
various elements that are here in the Syrian territory.
and that has led to, uh, displacement,
uh, in the targeted areas.
the the targeting of the airports in Syria
has hampered our ability to operate humanitarian.
Air services through, uh, una
um, this past year, we had to cancel 49 humanitarian flights.
additionally, uh, because of the Gaza, uh, crisis,
the the the prices of commodities
have significantly increased
increased due to, uh, the rerouting of the ships.
And and this has affected, uh, Syria, Uh, significantly. Because of the,
um, fragility of its economy, uh,
which is unable to cope with that sharp increase in the prices.
And, uh, also the the situation in in in Syria has created
we saw the world's attention
uh, some kind of, uh, diversion of attention
that allowed, uh uh, the the
of, uh, hostilities in the Northeast without, uh,
much attention being paid to that situation by by the international community.
And this goes on and on. And II, I think you get the idea,
um, with regard to the the fact that the the the of of the depoliticization
as humanitarian coordinator um, I think our focus should be on the people.
Uh, there is a political track.
There is, uh, someone uh, assigned by the Secretary General to lead that track.
uh, working with the different, uh, parties,
uh, to forge a path to a a negotiated solution to the political crisis.
Our role as humanitarians is to focus on the people and their needs.
And and And that would require
the deeper politicisation
of the humanitarian work here in Syria.
strict adherence to the core humanitarian principles of independence.
Impartiality, uh, humanity and neutrality,
And And there is a deficit in that regard by all sides.
Thank you very much. We'll go now to Muzi
TV and then after that, to Christian from DP. A
um my question about, uh, the, uh, American and European sanctions
imposed on Syria. Can the sanctions be considered a part of
the causes of the humanitarian crisis?
And, uh, a few days ago, the United States of America, France,
Britain and Germany have issued a joint statement confirming that
they will not lift sanctions on Syria and will also, uh,
prevent recon section before a political solution.
uh. That's, uh, mean, when you when you, uh, uh talk about the, uh,
That's, uh, you consider that, uh, like politicisation. Thank you.
Uh, uh, uh, on the humanitarian work, Uh, due to the sanctions,
let me hasten to say that these are unilateral
not UN sanctions. These are not sanctions imposed
through, uh, the Security Council, for instance.
they have a significant impact on our humanitarian, uh,
work and our operations in Syria
uh, significant impact on humanitarian procurement
we have seen is, uh, uh, many, uh, of the, uh, vendors and the banks
over comply with the sanctions.
uh, a a significant consideration, uh, for us here,
For many, uh, vendors and banks,
with, uh, the humanitarian community in Syria.
Uh, as the, um, the risks are are are very, very high.
strictly with the sanctions regime would require,
the investment of significant resources.
While any humanitarian exemptions are welcome,
gaps, including exposure to legal risks,
long and cumbersome, uh, procurement
and III. I already mentioned over compliance by suppliers and banks.
of donors sets, uh counterterrorism laws
of some current humanitarian donors.
the EM continues to work with the relevant stakeholders
to ensure procedures are in place
that allow humanitarian partners
Thank you very much. I give the floor now to, uh, Christian from the German DP a over
Ian. It's Lisa Schlein. I've been unmuted. Uh, I don't want to step on Christian's
toes. I don't know what to do
that. That that's fine. Lisa, please, Please go ahead and we will come back to the P A,
I'd like to ask you, but I, I may have some of my
But, um, I think that some of the Arab states have resumed political.
Uh uh uh uh Recognising, uh, Bashar al Assad,
his regime and have, uh, resumed,
uh, relationships with him.
Saudi Arabia, I believe, is one that has done this and others as well.
I'm a little vague on that, But I, I do believe that this is happening, and I'd like to
get your opinion as to how you view this whether this might not act as a hindrance
to the ability to get a political solution to this crisis.
Because if, uh, he's being recognised as a legitimate,
uh, leader of this country. And he's, uh, you know, OK again. Then why bother?
Uh uh, doing anything in terms of, uh, somehow,
a mode of living with the people of his country.
It's already affected, Uh, the constitutional committee meeting, uh, where, uh,
negotiating group has said that it will not attend. Thank you.
Well, thank you very much for that question, but, uh, I would, um,
just say that it is best, um, if
it it is directed to the special envoy who who was here last week.
And he's the one who is handling, uh, the political file.
And, um, whether or not the thaw in relations between some Arab countries
uh, And, um, the government of Syria is a positive or a negative thing.
Uh, could be debated. And and it is outside the scope of my assignment.
Thank you very much. Very clear.
I just wanted to check if D
is back for a question. That doesn't seem to be the
Uh, I think Musa, do you have a final question? Um,
then please go ahead. Thank you.
Um, 0.02% is, uh, considered nothing
Does this matter have anything to do with the aid in other places such, uh,
Gaza, for example. Thank you.
II. I already said that we are.
I said that we are competing for for attention and resources.
we have been consistently asking
10% of the global investment in humanitarian assistance
This year, we are asking for less than the 10% that we usually ask for.
uh, we are competing with so many crises.
If you look at the global picture, you have Gaza. You have Ukraine.
You have Afghanistan and the list go Ethiopia and the list goes on and on
which, with each emerging crisis,
the Syria one that is now over a decade old keeps being pushed to the, uh back burner.
Uh, and, uh, we are struggling
and and and and that is, uh, proving,
uh, to be challenging, um, every year.
uh, we will keep our advocacy. And as I said, there are two opportunities coming up.
officials meeting in Brussels, and and also, uh, the A I DS Brussels Co.
Uh, I am planning to, uh, launch the humanitarian response plan for 2024 sometime.
Um, in the coming weeks in
And we will continue, um, through, uh, multiple channels
uh, the and then the the the need for the world
to pay attention to the, uh, crisis in Syria
because the price of inaction
at least four catastrophic things if we continue
to ignore the situation in Syria and those who would definitely, uh, include
uh, terrorism, something that we have seen
and second, the likelihood of further destabilising
neighbouring countries such as Lebanon and Jordan
by not creating conducive conditions for the retain of refugees
the possibilities that additional flows of refugees could could take place.
um, there is some, uh, fear here that, um with the the economic decline
and the inability of the government to meet all the demands for social services.
Um, this whole thing about drugs, uh, could could, uh, see,
uh, we we could see a situation where
um, to to Europe will increase.
I hasten to say that in 2023
uh, new applications, uh, for asylum in Europe.
And that represents 38% compared to 2022.
So, um, as I said, if it is, if
increased resources are are not provided because the Syrian people, uh,
need them and deserve them, then they should be provided
Thank you very much. Uh, we do have DP back. So, Christiane,
the last question will go to you.
Christian, I don't know if you have unmuted yourself.
Uh, because we can't hear your question. I'll give you a second to do so.
Um, thank you very much, Mr Adel
Muller. You have always answered my questions before I could ask them.
But the last point you raised the migration to Europe,
Uh, to recap you say 2023. So?
So 38% more asylum applications from Syrians in Europe. Is that what you said
and do? Do you have projections? Do you Do you ask people?
Do you know what might or might not happen in 2024
on on the migration question
on on on migration in 2024.
And my my own sense is that it's going to increase significantly
unless we are able to keep people within their national borders Here,
Uh, that is going to increase very, very significantly. Um, and, um,
it is easy to forecast that, uh, we are still at the beginning of the first.
Uh, we are in the first quarter of, uh,
but, uh, with the level of funding that we have
and and and and the vulnerability that we see, uh, around us, um, it is not hard
the migration will only uh, increase
raised the issue of national interest.
Just compare the numbers. How How much do you spend A European countries spend
on refugees as compared to what it takes
within their national borders.
The math speaks for itself. It is less costly,
uh, to provide for people to remain in their countries, uh, as opposed to, uh,
when they reach, um, the, um
Thank you very much, Mr Abdul.
Mullah. I'm afraid we will have to wrap it up here.
We have another press conference coming up,
but I want to say thank you so much. Those were some stark warnings.
And thank you and your team for being such strong advocates
for the Syrian people, whom I'm sure we can all agree need some peace.
And they need some support.
Thank you very much for today. To everyone joining.
Thank you for the opportunity
