UN launches joint appeal for Syria: ‘Apathy is not an option’
As Syria begins 12 years of conflict amidst soaring humanitarian needs, UN agency heads launched during a European Union conference on Tuesday, a joint appeal for $10.5 billion.
More than 90 per cent of Syrians live in poverty, gender-based violence and risks to children are on the rise, and potential exposure to explosive ordnance remains high.
Moreover, food insecurity has soared to new records as 12 million Syrians go hungry every day and nearly one-in-two children are missing school – leaving them vulnerable to child labour, forced marriage, trafficking, and armed recruitment.
“Over the past 11 years, we have witnessed suffering and abuses on an immense scale; terrible violent conflict that went beyond all norms; [and] a humanitarian catastrophe that has devastated the lives of well over half the population,” UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen told the Brussels VI Conference: “Supporting the future of Syria and the region”.
Calling for international diplomacy
Syria remains a highly internationalized crisis in which key issues require constructive international diplomacy, according to Mr. Pedersen.
“It is not secret…that recent international developments, the war in Ukraine, have made that even more difficult than it was before,” he acknowledged.
“But as the UN envoy, I will continue to engage all key actors, Syrian and international, on the importance of contributing not only to alleviating suffering but to confidence-building and a political path out of this crisis”.
Stay focussed
Against the backdrop of a conflict, corruption, mismanagement, COVID, sanctions, and now the Ukraine war with its knock-on effects in the region and beyond, Mr. Pedersen drew attention to the Syrians who are struggling to meet their basic needs – noting that raw statistics never truly convey “the brutal reality that afflicts so many of them”.
At the same time, he described displacement “on a scale with few comparisons; a crisis of detention and abduction; an economic disaster that has impoverished millions and fragmented the country; and the continued threat of terrorism”.
He urged the participants to stay focussed on Syria.
Political solution still out of reach
Despite continuous calls for a nationwide ceasefire and a comprehensive Syrian-led and owned political solution that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity – while meeting the legitimate aspirations of the country’s people – Mr. Pedersen said frankly: “We are far from that political solution”.
Notwithstanding the current strategic stalemate on the ground, Syria continues to require attention, resources, and a comprehensive political solution, despite having dropped from news headlines.
“Your contributions are once again urgently needed,” he underscored.
Seeking a breathing path
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths spoke at length of the “unprecedented levels” of needs driven by a decade of conflict, long-term protracted humanitarian crisis, rapidly worsening economic circumstances, climate shocks and gender-based violence.
“We have got chronic electricity, fuel and water shortages undermining the functionality of essential services, livelihoods and delivery of assistance,” he said.