Syria is going through a promising phase that requires international support to promote recovery and stability

Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, in a briefing he gave today during the UN Security Council session on developments in Syria, confirmed the decline in the level of violence, the improvement in humanitarian access, and the return of refugees and displaced persons. However, at the same time, he indicated that humanitarian needs are still great, as about 15.6 million people, most of whom are women and children, will need assistance this year.

He said that Syria is going through a promising stage, but it requires urgent international support to promote recovery and stability, noting that current funding only allows access to about half of those in need of aid in Syria, revealing that the humanitarian response plan for Syria has so far received only 16 percent of the required funding, or about $480 million out of $2.9 billion.

Fletcher confirmed that the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz led to an increase in food and fuel prices, as diesel prices increased by about 17 percent, while the cost of electricity rose significantly in some areas, while the size of loaves of subsidized bread decreased by 12 percent despite the stability of prices.

Fletcher informed the Council members that removing mines and unexploded ordnance is a key priority to ensure the safe return of displaced persons and refugees, pointing out that more than 390,000 people have crossed the border from Lebanon into Syria since the beginning of March, including more than 86,000 who announced their intention to stay permanently.

On the other hand, Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to Syria, informed the members of the UN Security Council of his intention to return to Damascus next week, to continue his discussions with the Syrian government regarding supporting the transitional phase and enhancing aspects of cooperation between the United Nations and the Syrian authorities, including transferring employees of the Office of the Special Envoy from Geneva to Damascus.

Cordone reviewed the important developments that Syria is witnessing in terms of accountability and transitional justice, despite the security and economic challenges it is experiencing and repeated violations of its sovereignty, stressing that the current stage represents a decisive test of Syria’s commitment to the rule of law and building public confidence.

He stressed the importance of removing obstacles that hinder investment, financial flows, and reconstruction, pointing to developments related to the trials conducted by the competent Syrian judicial authorities against some of those accused of human rights violations during the era of the former regime, calling for the adoption of a comprehensive strategy for transitional justice that includes revealing the truth, compensation, institutional reform, and accountability.

The UN official also informed the members of the Security Council of the ongoing security threats that continue to endanger Syria’s stability, including the continued Israeli military presence and movements east of the ceasefire line, calling on Israel in this regard to stop these violations and release the Syrians detained by it.