The UN special envoy and the UN emergency chief briefed member states on political developments and the humanitarian situation at a Security Council meeting via video link from the capital Damascus on Tuesday.
Special Envoy Geir Pedersen said that what has happened in Syria in the last few days is an event of historical level. Within days, the Assad family regime, which had ruled Syria for more than 50 years, collapsed amid a long-running civil war.
“Only 11 days have passed since the fall of the former regime, but I have already met with representatives of various parties and I will continue my communication and dialogue with the Syrian people. “I hear hope, and I hear fear.”
He said there is a deep sense among Syrian citizens that this is their moment, and an opportunity for them to realize their legitimate aspirations.
According to the Special Envoy, this is a real opportunity for the country to take steps towards peace, economic stability, progress, inclusion for all, accountability and justice.
However, he warned that many people are skeptical about the future and that Syria faces huge challenges.
“I am concerned that the situation could take a turn for the worse if Syrian citizens and the international community do not manage the situation properly.”
Inclusion is important
Geyer Pedersen said that Syria is currently going through a serious economic challenge and about 90 percent of the country’s population lives in poverty.
According to him, assistance other than humanitarian aid will be needed to face these challenges, so that the country’s economic development and reconstruction process can be advanced. Besides, steps should be taken to withdraw the sanctions imposed on Syria.
The Special Envoy said it was important to include this period of political transition to ensure economic assistance to Syria. The current needs are huge and can only be met with massive support.
He pointed out that Syrian women want the guarantee of their rights and status in society and that they must be accommodated in the system during this period of transition, otherwise the process will not be considered inclusive.
Challenges must be overcome
UN emergency response chief Tom Fletcher said the amount of suffering the Syrian people had endured over the past decade was unimaginable.
“At this moment of hope and risk, we must rise to the challenge and help the Syrian people.”
Events in Syria have changed rapidly in recent days, but the humanitarian crisis still exists. It is one of the world’s largest crises and nearly 17 million people, 70 percent of the population, need assistance.
More than 7 million Syrian citizens have been displaced within the country’s borders, and millions more are living as refugees in other countries. 1.3 crore people struggle with food insecurity.
Tom Fletcher told the Security Council that humanitarian needs had increased in the past few days and that one million people had been displaced in less than two weeks. Hundreds more were killed.
‘Acting administration has expressed commitment’
UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher said the visit to Syria has three main objectives: better coordination of humanitarian aid efforts, favorable conditions for humanitarian work and communication and dialogue with all stakeholders.
He met with representatives of the new caretaker administration in the capital Damascus, including Commander Ahmed al-Shara and Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir.
According to Under-Secretary-General Fletcher, the caretaker administration has pledged its support to efforts to increase the scale and scope of humanitarian assistance in the country.
In this regard, it has been assured that the movement of humanitarian aid workers and relief materials from neighboring countries including Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq will be ensured.