The number of displaced people remains alarmingly high, with more than six million Syrians living as refugees or asylum seekers outside the country’s borders and more than seven million displaced within the country.
Nearly 17 million people across the country – more than 70 percent of the population – now needs humanitarian assistance and protectionwhere women and children were particularly badly affected.
In addition to the suffering, Syria is still struggling with the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes in february 2023who brought serious human and material damage.
Record levels of need
Joyce Msuya, acting UN Emergency Response Coordinator, told the ambassadors that more resources were urgently needed as the scale of humanitarian suffering had reached unprecedented levels.► Video)
UN Photo/Manuel Elías
Joyce Msuya, Acting Emergency Response Coordinator, briefs Security Council members on the situation in Syria.
She called for more investment to support early recovery projects, rebuild livelihoods, reduce aid dependency and address the refugee crisis.
“The key to a lasting solution is a definitive end to the conflictshe stressed, emphasizing the need to address regional insecurity against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza.
Gaza Rainfall
Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, noted the growing tensions in the Middle East, citing recent violence in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights, Beirut and Tehran, and attacks between Hezbollah and Israel on the border with Lebanon.► Video)
He pointed out that Syria has not been spared from this escalation, citing Israeli airstrikes in Homs, Hama and Deraa that resulted in civilian casualties, including children. US military positions in northeastern Syria were also targeted in attacks that the US attributed to Iranian-backed groups.
“We must redouble our efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region in the interest of long-term peace and stability for all – including an urgent ceasefire in Gaza, a return to calm in Lebanon and along the Blue Line, and broader regional de-escalation,” Mr Pedersen stressed.
Resolution is the key
“The same de-escalation is needed in the Syrian conflict itself“, he continued, expressing concern about the flare-up of fighting in the country.
For his part, he remained focused on promoting a UN-facilitated intra-Syrian political process that adheres to Security Council Resolution 2254he said.
UN Photo/Manuel Elías
Geir Pedersen (on screen), UN Special Envoy for Syria, briefs the Security Council on the situation in the country.
Collaboration took place with various Syrian groups, such as the Syrian Negotiations Commission, the Syrian government, women, youth and civil society.
“My message on immediate priorities remains consistent,” Mr Pedersen added, outlining the urgent need for de-escalation in the region and in Syria, confidence-building measures and helping to prepare the ground for a new and comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict.
Difficult challenge
Mr Pedersen acknowledged that resolving the conflict will be complex and challenging and stressed that it is crucial not to view it as insurmountable.
“It would be a mistake to conclude that this is impossible, that the conflict can only be managed and not resolved.“
He stressed the need for a joint political will in Syria and greater international cooperation to resolve the crisis.
“I realize, of course, that the geopolitical relations with Syria remain a challenge,” he said.but there is a way forwardI hope that I can count on your collective support for this approach in the coming period.”
