UN coordinator: Syrian government exerts efforts to ensure needs of displaced

Damascus (ST)-Resident Coordinator of the UN Activities in Syria Adam Abdelmoula asserted that the Syrian government and its bodies are exerting strenuous efforts to ensure the needs of people prejudiced by the crisis in Syria, referring that these efforts prove that Syrians have promoted the values of cooperation and solidarity and responded to the challenges of the crisis as much as possible.

In a press conference on Monday in Sheraton Hotel in Damascus which was attended by representatives of UN organizations operating in Syria, Abdelmoula said that there are hundreds of Syrian families who are hosting the families displaced by the events despite all difficult circumstances.

 “The UN organizations operating in Syria are specialized in humanitarian affairs and their work is based on the two principles of neutrality and non-bias,” Abdelmoula said, adding that the only criteria governing the work of humanitarian organization is the need of citizens and affected people for help.

Abdelmoula warned against targeting humanitarian workers and trespassing their work and properties, referring that such transgressions are considered  war crimes and must be stopped  immediately and affirming that the UN will not yield to terrorism which will not dissuade it from carrying out its humanitarian duties.

Abdelmoula pointed out that the current crisis is political and that it resulted in a humanitarian disaster, therefore the crisis’ solution should be political via the consensus of all sides of the crisis through dialogue and agreement among Syrians themselves whom their  cultural and civilized heritage will allow them to overcome the crisis.

OCHA Regional Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs Bureau  Radwan Nouicer said that there is  a severe lack in funding humanitarian operations, as the international community gives more  importance  to political and military aspects at the expense of humanitarian aspects.

Nouicer called on the international community to  provide the necessary funds to implement the scheduled  response plan, stressing the necessity to remove all obstacles and exert more efforts to reach every person in need in a way far from political issues.

Nouicer commend the solidarity which prevails in the Syrian society as it was the first  and successful factor in relieving the burdens of harmed  people, noting that 18 volunteers from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent have  passed away due to their enthusiasm to relief  people.

He pointed out  that despite the efforts of Syrian commissions, NGO and governmental organizations, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent  and international humanitarian organizations, the situation still represents an unprecedented challenge to all humanitarian organizations, adding that this press conference aims to draw attention and inform the whole world of the severity of the humanitarian situation in Syria, a country well-known in its  hospitality for refugees and people in need throughout the ages.

Obeida al-Mohammad