Ambassador Sabbagh , Guterres discuss ways of providing assistance to those affected by the earthquake

New York, (ST) – The Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations, Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh, explained to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres the Syrian efforts to face the repercussions of the earthquake that struck the country yesterday.

Ambassador Sabbagh conveyed to Guterres, during the meeting yesterday, a message from Dr. Faisal Al-Mikdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, which included an explanation about what the Syrian government had done, within the framework of its emergency action plan to confront the repercussions of the earthquake that struck the Syrian Arab Republic. This emergency action included mobilizing all efforts of the Ministries, institutions and concerned authorities to face the repercussions of this humanitarian disaster.

The message also included a reference to the appeal made by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to the Member States of the United Nations, the General Secretariat of the Organization, its agencies, funds, international organizations, and humanitarian partners to extend a helping hand to support the efforts made by the Syrian government in facing the repercussions of the humanitarian disaster, especially with regard to the search for survivors and the rescue of those trapped under the rubble.

In addition, the plan includes providing food and health assistance and shelter supplies to those affected by this natural disaster throughout Syria, in accordance with the standards of humanitarian work established by General Assembly Resolution No. 46/182, and in coordination and cooperation with the Syrian government.

For his part, the Secretary-General expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people and government of the Syrian Arab Republic. He reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to doing everything possible to help Syria overcome the effects of this humanitarian catastrophe.

In reply to journalists’ questions after the meeting, Ambassador Sabbagh affirmed Syria’s readiness to coordinate with the United Nations to provide humanitarian aid to all the Syrains across the country. He indicated that the Syrian government has mobilized all efforts to achieve this goal, including cooperation with all those who wish to provide assistance to all the Syrians.

Sabbagh stressed that Syria is ready to work with all who want to provide assistance to the Syrians from inside Syria and whoever wishes to do so must coordinate with the Syrian government.

Raghda Sawas