Martin Griffiths, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis, noting that 16.7 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance – the highest number since the conflict began thirteen years ago.
He stressed that the situation is deteriorating year after year, with particular emphasis on the ongoing protection crisis, as children continue to be killed and women and girls face increasing levels of sexual and gender-based violence.
Moreover, an unstable economic situation exacerbates suffering and perpetuates instability. According to the UN World Food Program (WFP), the cost of living has more than doubled in the past year, and there are no signs of improvement in the near future.
“More than seven million people are still displaced in Syriawhile millions more live as refugees in neighboring countries,” Mr Griffiths said.
He underlined the need for sustainable humanitarian access through both cross-border and cross-border operations.
The UN aid chief welcomed the recent extension granted by the Syrian government for the use of the Bab al-Salam border crossing and emphasized the need for more long-term commitments based on needs rather than fixed time periods.
Security issues
Geir O. Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, described the political impasse is deep-rooted and there is no clear political path to implement the UN Security Councilresolution 2254which outlined a roadmap for Syria’s political transition.
He warned of the risks of long-term division and despair, which threaten not only Syrians but also the wider international community.
“A dizzying array of local and international actors and designated terrorist groups remain involved in conflict, within and over Syrian territory, in multiple theaters,” Mr. Pedersen said.
He described ongoing clashes in the north of the country and security tensions within areas of control, complicated by the fallout from the war in Gaza, including Israeli airstrikes in Syria, and rocket and drone attacks from Syrian territory towards Israeli-occupied Syria. Golan and Israel.
“If this dynamic continues, we will inevitably see even more civilian suffering. And we could also see major escalations and further instability rippling across the region,” he warned, also reiterating the need for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“Regional de-escalation efforts starting with a a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza is absolutely essential”, he emphasized.
A piecemeal approach will not work
Mr. Pedersen further emphasized the need for a comprehensive political solution, involving the Syrian government, the opposition, civil society and key international actors such as Iran, Russia, Turkiye, the United States, Arab and European countries and the Security Council.
“No single actor can solve the crisis on its own, and neither can any of the existing diplomatic groups. Constructive international diplomacy with the contribution of everyone is the only way forward,” he stressed.
At the same time, the meetings of the Constitutional Committee must be resumed and concrete confidence-building measures must be taken to stabilize the situation.
“Many understand that the situation in Syria is dangerous, that the current step-by-step approach will not be enough to turn the tide, and that a strategy of containment and relief will not stabilize the dangerous and unpredictable situation in Syria – just as it is elsewhere has not been the case. in the region,” he said.
UN photo/Rick Bajornas
A wide view of the UN Security Council chamber as members meet to discuss the situation in Syria.
