UK, Syria discuss cooperation on disaster response, mine action
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh on Monday met with the UK’s Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Special Representative to Syria, Barrie Peach, to discuss bilateral cooperation and efforts to strengthen Syria’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.
“Barrie Peach met Syrian Minister @RaedAlSaleh3 in Damascus for important discussions on UK-Syria cooperation and how we can support Syria’s ability to prepare and respond to emergency and disasters,” the UK diplomat said in a post on X.
According to Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, the meeting addressed the government’s “Syria Without Camps” initiative, infrastructure rehabilitation, recovery efforts, and mine action.
Al-Saleh said in a post on X that the discussions focused on the work of the National Mine Action Center, describing mine clearance as an urgent humanitarian and security priority.
He said mine action is essential to protecting civilians and creating conditions for the safe and dignified return of displaced people.
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation and strengthening Syria’s national capacities in meteorological monitoring and early warning systems to improve preparedness and disaster response, according to SANA.
The Syrian government is implementing the “Syria Without Camps” initiative through an integrated approach that combines infrastructure rehabilitation in war-damaged areas with coordination among ministries, local authorities, and international partners to facilitate the return of displaced families and address prolonged displacement.
Mine clearance remains a major challenge in Syria, where landmines and unexploded ordnance left by years of conflict continue to threaten civilians and hinder the return of displaced people and recovery efforts in affected areas.