‘Syria is in grave crisis’: UN

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi voiced concern about the situation in Syria and urged a political solution in the war-torn country.

"Over the past months, I have met hundreds of Syrians -- men and women of all backgrounds, who differ on many things, but who share a common concern for the future of their country. Their suffering is increasing, not decreasing. They fear Syria is in danger of being forgotten.

"On behalf of Special Envoy (Gier) Pedersen, my message to you is simple: Syria is in grave crisis and none of its myriad problems can be sustainably addressed without a political solution. The voices of Syrians inside and outside need not only to be heard but heeded," Rochdi said at a UN Security Council meeting.

Stressing that humanitarian conditions remain in "sharp decline" compounded by a profound economic crisis, she said the UN is also "alarmed" by inhumane conditions and the serious ongoing insecurity and violence, affecting thousands of women and children.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she said an additional 174,000 Syrians were displaced within Syria during the past year, adding 7.2 million are now internally displaced, alongside 6.4 million refugees.

"We must recognize the scale and seriousness of the predicament of host countries in the region and support them, while also emphasizing the need for the protection of Syrians and the end of anti-refugee rhetoric and actions. We must also redouble efforts to assist those who wish to return," she said.

Saying that Syrians agree on the urgent need to preserve and restore Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, Rochdi pushed for a meaningful UN-facilitated political process to implement resolution 2254 that realizes the aspirations of the Syrian people and restores the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria.

The UN will leave "no stone unturned" to facilitate such a process and to facilitate building a better future for all Syrians, she said.

- 'Syria is facing its highest levels of humanitarian need'

Ramesh Rajasingham, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva and director of the coordination division, said humanitarian assistance cannot reverse the crisis but it can save lives and alleviate some of the suffering.

"Syria is facing its highest levels of humanitarian need since the start of this thirteen-year crisis, and the situation only continues to deteriorate as each month passes," he said.

Stressing the need for conditions "more conducive" to an efficient humanitarian response has never been greater, he said it requires respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access.

"But if we are to start reversing the growing needs in Syria, conditions must also include expanding investment in early recovery efforts across the country, to help build resilience and lay the groundwork for people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods, and restore some resilience," he said, adding it depends on a political solution to the conflict.

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.