2016 Humanitarian Response Plan requires $3.2 billion for 13.5 million Syrians- O’Brien

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O’Brien declared Monday that the UN and its partners have finalized the 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan, which requires $3.2 billion for 13.5 million Syrians.

He urged the international community to generously support the UN’s $3.2 billion humanitarian operations plan for Syria.

Speaking to reporters in Damascus,  O’Brien said ” “I came to Syria to find ways to improve the ongoing response efforts and to ensure that those in need across the country will receive the assistance they so desperately require.”

 He went on to say that during his trip, which began on 12 December, he had been able to visit Homs City, where he crossed conflict lines to visit communities in the Al Waer neighbourhood where the parties recently agreed on a ceasefire.

O’Brien also visited a former school which is now being used as a shelter by 45 displaced families. The school had been hit by mortars many times, severely injuring some children during the terror attacks.

The United Nations News Center quoted O’Brien  as saying that he held constructive meetings with the Governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, and local community leaders.

Upon meeting the President of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Attar, O’Brien saluted the huge efforts and courage of SARC and their volunteers in delivering life-saving aid and persevering in the challenging and often dangerous circumstances in which we all operate, and added that they are a “valued partner” in humanitarian operations in Syria.

“Despite the challenges on the ground the humanitarian community continues to reach millions of people in Syria every month. However, much more is needed […] Syrians need our support more than ever and we must not let them down,” stressed Mr. O’Brien.

Basma Qaddour