Nearly 17 million Syrians require humanitarian assistance: UN

By Merve Aydogan

TORONTO, Canada (AA) - The UN relief chief stressed Tuesday that nearly 17 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance.

"A staggering 16.7 million people now require humanitarian assistance – nearly three-quarters of the population and the highest number of people in need since the start of the crisis," Martin Griffiths said at a UN Security Council session on the Middle East.

Citing the Feb. 6, 2023, earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria as "the most severe in a century," Griffiths said that in Syria, "where the conflict is about to hit the 13-year mark, it is clear that much more is still needed to address the long-term humanitarian impact of the earthquakes."

He urged the full restoration of basic services as well as the "provision of adequate and appropriate shelters, particularly for displaced pregnant women and girls."

Noting that the decline in essential facilities increased Syrian people's reliance on humanitarian aid, the UN official stressed that the "reduction in access to electricity, water, and cooking fuel has exacerbated food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable members of society such as children, and pregnant and lactating women."

Griffiths reiterated his call "to all parties involved to respect international humanitarian law and take constant care to spare civilians and civilian infrastructure."

Syria has been mired in a vicious civil war since 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN estimates.