Syria: Security Council highlights the escalating crisis and suffering of the people
Najat Rochdi, United Nations Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, told council members that Syria’s dire situation needed political solutions for the country’s problems to be resolved in a sustainable way.
‘Atmosphere of fear’
Deputy Special Envoy Rochdi said the security situation in Syria remained violent and tense, leaving many civilians in a “climate of fear”.
She pointed to several incidents in Syria over the past few months, including air strikes believed to be from Israel that claimed the lives of Syrian soldiers and others, along with an increase in attacks by this force. Security CouncilISIL terrorist group is listed across central and northern Syria, etc
Furthermore, Ms. Rochdi noted that women’s activists increasingly reported threats to their personal security. Levels of violence against women and girls, including child and forced marriage, have increased rapidly.
She said none of these challenges can be “addressed in a sustainable way without a meaningful political process supported by the United Nations to implement resolution 2254 to realize political aspirations dignity of the Syrian people and restore Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity.”
The humanitarian crisis is increasing
Ms Rochdi also commented on the humanitarian crisis in Syria, saying living conditions remained “sharply deteriorating”.
She added that the Syrian people need unrestricted access to aid in all forms, including cross-border and cross-border relief.
Najat Rochdi (on screen), Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, summarizes the Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria.
“We are seeing multiple parties across Syria repeatedly reject cross-border aid convoys – depriving communities of their right to life-saving supplies, including in Rukban camp, where the especially bad situation”.
The Deputy Special Envoy also noted that 174,000 Syrians were displaced last year, based on reports from the United Nations refugee agency (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). These reports further mention that 7.2 million civilians in Syria are internally displaced along with 6.4 million refugees.
“We need to increase our efforts to find sustainable solutions,” Ms. Rochdi said. “This means addressing the issues that hinder the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees.”
Ms Rochdi said her group would continue to engage with Syrians to “facilitate the building of a better future” for them.
OCHA update
The coordinating director of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OHCA), Ramesh Rajasingham, also briefed the ambassadors.
He noted that more than half of Syria’s population – about 13 million people – are facing severe, high levels of food insecurity, with more than 650,000 children under the age of 5 showing symptoms of stunting due to malnutrition. malnutrition is serious and 1/3 of children in this country fall into food poverty.
“While humanitarian aid cannot reverse this crisis, it can save lives and alleviate some of the worst suffering.”, Mr. Rajasingham said.
OCHAThe UN’s humanitarian appeal remains underfunded by less than 13% and without change, Syrian civilians will continue to suffer, the UN Coordination Director said.
He noted that the United Nations and its partners have managed to provide aid to about 2.7 million people each month, but is concerned that without funding, the World Food Program (WFP) – which recently restarted emergency food deliveries – will be inaccessible to many people experiencing severe food insecurity.
Mr. Rajasingham said this humanitarian crisis requires “absolute respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access” and “sufficient resources to I can continue to provide vital support to the millions of people who need it.”
