Local Administration Ministry, UN-HABITAT Sign MOU on Assessing Crisis Repercussions

DAMASCUS, (ST)-The Ministry of Local Administration and the United Nations Human Settlements Program, UN-HABITAT, on Tuesday signed a memorandum of Understanding on enhancing urgent response to cities and on assessing the repercussions of the crisis in Syria.

The memo, which was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi, comes within the framework of the humanitarian response plan signed between the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry and the UN organization acting in Syria.

During a workshop held following the signing ceremony on consolidating the urgent response to Syrian cities and on assessing the repercussions of the crisis on these cities, al-Halqi said “Syria has dealt positively with all international, Arab and local initiatives relating to the Syrian people and it has committed itself to all the international resolutions that aimed to attain a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria.”

“Syria has been facing a multi-dimension war backed and financed by regional and international powers. This was negatively reflected on the life of the Syrians because of the huge destruction and damage caused to their houses and cities by the armed terrorist groups,” the premier said.

He reviewed the government’s plan to alleviate the suffering of the people and its keenness to provide all basic needs to terrorism-hit citizens.

Minister of Local Administration Omar Ghalawanji appreciated the support of the international organizations which supported the government’s efforts in providing humanitarian assistance, particularly the United Nations Human Settlements Program which cooperated with the ministry to back relief, speedy recovery and reconstruction operations in the country.

H. Mustafa