Funding challenges hamper aid to NW Syria – U.N. official
QAMSHLI, Syria (North Press) – U.N. humanitarian official expressed concern on Wednesday about the potential limitations on aid to Syrians due to funding challenges.
David Carden, the United Nations deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis, said that “We’re not getting particularly good signals about funding possibilities this year.”
He added that the funding environment had become more difficult as the country approached the 13th anniversary of the Syrian war.
Carden made these remarks during a visit to the opposition held areas in northwest Syria.
Carden emphasized that insufficient funding would not only impact aid delivery but also hinder the United Nations and its partners’ ability to provide services to the most affected individuals.
He noted that the humanitarian response program for Syria received less than 40 percent of the required $5.4 billion for operations in 2023, despite a devastating earthquake that struck northern Syria and neighboring Turkey.
According to the U.N., over 15 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance.