Humanitarian response in Syria at “critical juncture” – UN official
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The humanitarian response in Syria is at a critical juncture, as is the future of Syria itself, Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator said on Thursday.
In his brief during a session of the UN Security Council Griffiths noted to the considerable challenges and, at the same time, the opportunities to “leverage recovery funding, if we can continue to be present in northwest and northeast Syria, and if we can turn our attention to sectors which have such a central role in determining basic needs.”
He pointed out that the 12-war and the economic collapse pushed 90 percent of the Syrian population below the poverty line.
The UN official focused on the importance of the renewal of cross-border operations that may improve the humanitarian conditions, as he put it.
The UN Security Council has periodically extended a resolution allowing for aid to reach northwest Syria through Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey. It is the only aid going directly to opposition-held areas without passing through Damascus. A similar mechanism allowing for aid to reach northeast Syria through al-Ya’rubiyah (Tel Kocher) crossing with Iraq was vetoed by Russia and China in 2020.
Calling for increased international support, Griffiths said the UN and its partners currently “have limited means to help the most vulnerable people in Syria”, with the $5.4 billion UN humanitarian response plan less than 12 percent funded.
He said a $200 million deficit will force the World Food Program (WFP) to slash by 40 percent its emergency food aid to Syrians for next month.