Syria

SC/14779

SECURITY COUNCIL
8957TH MEETING (PM)

Representatives Divided on Cross-border Mechanisms, Imposition of Sanctions

Amid a bitter winter, continuing outbreaks of violence and an ever-deepening economic crisis, humanitarian needs in Syria are dwarfed by the funding available to meet them, the United Nations humanitarian chief informed the Security Council today, as speakers expressed concern about a harrowing siege in a prison in the north-east of the country.

Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said that as the conflict in Syria enters its second decade, even the bare minimum — of sufficient relief, civilian protection and access to basic social service — is not being provided to the country’s people, stressing: “Failure each year cannot be our strategy.”

Painting a dismal picture of a country where resurgent hotspots in the conflict continue to claim civilians’ lives and impact vital infrastructure, while unsafe conditions in sprawling refugee camps due to violence and bitter winter conditions worsen the suffering of the displaced, he pointed out that current funding can only help cover half of the over 4 million people across Syria who need protection from the elements and the basics of survival.

Expressing concern about the deepening economic crisis, which is making food increasingly unaffordable, and insufficient food aid, he underlined the need for smart funding and creative humanitarian...

Read Full Story: https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/humanitarian-situation-syri...