More than 300,000 people have been displaced in recent days due to violence in northwestern Syria. Other armed groups, led by the Security Council-banned terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have launched large-scale attacks in Syrian government-controlled areas, worsening the situation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the senior official of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, said that in view of the rapid changes, UN staff who are not engaged in emergency work should be expelled from the country. Sending out.
The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator have insisted that rumors that the UN is withdrawing all its staff from Syria are false.
Adam Abdelmoula made it clear that this is not a matter of leaving Syria for a safe place and that the organization is fully committed to the people of the country. “The United Nations is fully committed to maintaining our presence in Syria and providing life-saving assistance to the people at this critical time.”
According to a senior UN official, the humanitarian situation in the country is deteriorating and many displaced people are now trying to find shelter in the northeastern part of the country. Many people are trapped in the front line area of the fight and it is not possible for them to get out.
“Civilian casualties, including women and children, continue to rise. “This situation underscores the importance of a coordinated humanitarian response.”
In this vein, he called on all parties to protect civilians and aid workers and fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Humanitarian coordinator Adam Abdelmoula said UN staff in Syria are trying to continue critical humanitarian efforts and aid operations. “Whether it’s food, water or medical aid, we are determined to reach those in need, wherever they are.”
Request for political discussion
Meanwhile, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen stressed the need for immediate talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition.
Briefing reporters in the Qatari capital of Doha, he reiterated his plea for an end to the violent conflict in Syria, for peace, to avoid bloodshed and to protect civilians.
The Special Envoy said a process needed to be initiated through which the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people could be met.
He met ministers from Iran, Russia and Turkey and also held discussions with representatives of the US, France, Britain, Germany and the European Union.
Geyer Pedersen said political dialogue is urgently needed to implement Security Council Resolution 2254 in Geneva, which provides a roadmap for peace in Syria and a political process led by the Syrian people.