UN official: It is time to invest in “New Syria” to support recovery and the return of refugees

Speaking to reporters in New York from the Turkish city of Gaziantep, David Carden, Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syrian crisis, expressed his hope that the humanitarian stage will be in Syria. “The shortest possible, so that we can move forward towards recovery and reconstruction, and in this context, to see more penalties.”

The UN official said that he is optimistic about the low levels of conflict in Syria, adding that if this positive path continues, “People will have the opportunity to live in peace.” He stressed that people do not want “A temporary relief, but they want opportunities to earn a living and rebuild their lives in dignity.”

Simplifying the humanitarian response

He pointed out that his position will be officially canceled from tomorrow, Tuesday, as part of the United Nations transitional efforts in “New Syria” With the aim of simplifying the response of coordination, led by the resident coordinator and the Humanitarian Coordinator in Damascus, by the end of June.

He said: “The work of the human factor is to get himself out of his job and create the circumstances in which there is no longer a need for humanitarian aid. With the end of my position, I hope this also reflects a serious path towards a brighter and stable future. The most vulnerable people in Syria deserve less than that, and I wish them all the best.”

Mr. Carden added that the humanitarian process across the border from Türkiye to Syria was born out of necessity in light of the rooted political divisions to ensure the access of humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable Syrians. He said that the work extended beyond the mere delivery of relief materials, to include people’s support to rebuild their livelihoods in the face of the shelling and continuous air strikes.

A crisis has not yet ended

He pointed out that the situation has changed now, as there is a new Syria, “Full of hope and opportunities.” But he stressed that while the levels of conflict have receded in many parts of the country, the “The crisis in Syria has not ended yet.”

He said that more than 16 million people today need help – the equivalent of seven out of ten Syrians, the majority of them are women and children. While there was a gradual increase in return this year, Syria is still one of the largest displacement crises in the world, as there are still seven million displaced people inside the country.

Mr. Kardin stressed that the United Nations and its partners are doing their best with the available resources, but he expressed his deep concern about the fatal deficiency of financing, which has already led to the suspension of water and sanitation services in the camps, the safe places for women and girls, and other humanitarian activities throughout Syria.

He said that the human community has secured $ 179 million so far, which represents less than 9 % of the billion dollars needed to help the most vulnerable groups until the end of June this year.