UN envoy urges donors to continue supporting Syria amid economic crisis
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – United Nations’ Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called on donors on Sunday to continue their funding as the economic crisis in Syria deteriorates.
This came following a meeting between Pedersen and Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Faisal Mekdad, in Damascus. “The situation inside of Syria has become even worse than it was economically during the height of the conflict. We cannot accept that funding for Syria is going down while the humanitarian needs are increasing.” Pedersen told reporters after the meeting.
The Syrian government’s decision to double salaries of government employees then lifting subsidies on fuel in August further worsened the economic situation and increased inflation. All these sparked anti-government protests in the governorates of Daraa and Suwayda in southern Syria that demanded al-Assad to leave.
The UN estimates that over half of the Syrian people are food insecure and that 90 percent of Syrians in the government-held areas live in poverty. UN agencies reduced their programs due to the reduction of support by international donors.
Now that Syria restored relations with some Arab states and was readmitted to the Arab league after suspension of its membership since 2011, the UN is seeking to restart talks with Syrian government representatives and opposition groups to reach a political solution to end the crisis in Syria.
“For Syria without addressing the political consequences of this crisis, the deep economic crisis and humanitarian suffering will also continue,” Pedersen said.
Pedersen also added that he is scheduled to meet with Arab governments, in addition to Turkey, Russia, and Iran to follow up on the developments of their talks.