Syria: UN Urges Protection of Civilians Amid Crisis & Aid Shortfall -Press Conference|United Nations

Press Conference by Adam Abdelmoula, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, and Ramanathan Balakrishnan, Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, on the escalation of hostilities in Syria. UN humanitarians appealed to all parties in Syria to prioritize the protection of civilians as well as humanitarian personnel, facilities and assets in all affected locations. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, spoke to reporters from Damascus today (03 Dec) on the recent escalation of hostilities in the country. He spoke via video link. Abdelmoula stated that the escalations is the most significant one since 2019, causing many civilian casualties, displaced tens of thousands of people, interrupted critical services and disrupted humanitarian operations. The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria reaffirmed, “While the safety and security of humanitarian personnel is of paramount importance, the UN and its partners remain committed to staying and delivering.” He added, “we are organizing to undertake assessments and expand response as soon as possible, in whichever way possible, Whether directly across the conflict lines or across international borders.” Abdelmoula also highlighted that the latest hostilities come as the humanitarian response for Syria faces it is largest funding shortfall ever, “with less than 30 percent of the 4.1 billion humanitarian appeal for 2024 received to date.” He added, “The priority needs at the moment include food health, water protection services, non-food items, as the winter is sitting in and we are scrambling to provide as much assistance as we can, given the limited resources and the limited access.” The UN humanitarian official also warned that some of the public health concerns are already rising, “including due to the presence of unburied bodies and lack of clean water for days.” He said that Aleppo University Hospital sustained damage that has left hundreds of patients without essential care. For his part, Ramanathan Balakrishnan, Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis spoke from Aman via video link. He said, “In northwest Syria, the UN and its partners are providing food, winter items, protection and emergency wash services and other assistance through reception centers hosting newly displaced and arriving families.” “As of second of December, over 2,600 people, mainly women and children, have sought shelter in twelve reception centers with 15 NGO partners maintaining a multi-sectoral humanitarian response. Partners are prepared to redirect part of the ongoing winterization response to support the most vulnerable households affected by hostilities,” Balakrishnan added. The Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis also echoed the funding gap, “given the volatility of the region that has also seen a recent massive influx into Syria of Syrians and Lebanese fleeing the violence in Lebanon, such a gap in humanitarian funding is bound to increase the suffering of the most vulnerable and will have significant consequences for the region.”


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