Makhlouf, Director of UN Office for Project Services discuss cooperation to face repercussions of earthquake 

The Chairman of the High Relief Committee, Minister of Local Administration and Environment Hussein Makhlouf and the Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services Muhammad Othman Akram discussed the possibility of UNOPS to respond to the earthquake and contribute to its mitigation.

Makhlouf noted the importance of the measures taken by the Government, the Supreme Committee for Relief and its subcommittees in the affected governorates, stressing the increasing needs under the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria, where the needs are concentrated in the provision of structural assessment devices to accelerate work on the assessment and classification of damaged buildings, and to subsequently take appropriate action, whether to reinforce or rebuild. He noted the possibility of benefiting from the United Nations Office’s expertise in reinforcing damaged buildings to accelerate the return and stability of residents in their homes.

The Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) explained that UNOPS is directly implementing projects in partnership with donors, national Governments and United Nations organizations, noting the possibility of coordinating the implementation of a number of projects that contribute to supporting those affected.

He clarified that his visit to the governorates of Hama and Aleppo had helped him develop a clear image of the damage and needs. He would seek donor funding to implement priority earthquake response projects, as well as renewable energy projects, a number of which are being implemented in Syria in cooperation with local partners.

Amal Farhat