Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Director, Coordination division, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Statement for Brussels VIII Conference “Supporting the future of Syria and the region.” 27 May 2024

Brussels, 27 May 2024

As delivered

I want to thank the European Union for yet again bringing us together for this vital conference in support of the people of Syria and the region. I also want to extend my gratitude to everyone for your participation and the generous pledges announced so far today. More than 13 years since the start of this conflict, Syrians are experiencing their worst humanitarian predicament in its entire history. The crisis has ravaged the nation's infrastructure, decimated its public services and left the economy in ruins – pushing more than 90 per cent of the population into poverty. Last year, when devastating earthquakes struck Syria, we thought we had witnessed the worst. But today, almost 17 million Syrians – almost three-quarters of the population – still require humanitarian assistance, a startling 25 per cent increase since 2021. Amidst this, there are almost 13 million people facing acute food insecurity and hunger. Just as many need life-saving assistance and protection. More than half a million children urgently need treatment for acute malnutrition. Another statistic we would never have expected to see in Syria. And more than 1.8 million people need support to access safe water. Against this backdrop, I regret to inform you that the Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria in 2024 is alarmingly underfunded. Of the $4 billion required to provide humanitarian support in Syria this year, only 8 per cent has been received – significantly less at this time than last year, and the largest shortfall in funding for the humanitarian response at any time during the crisis.

If this does not change, the impact on people across Syria will be dire. Vulnerability will increase. Indeed, there is a real risk that it will contribute to a further escalation in the crisis. The humanitarian community responding in Syria, estimates that an additional 2.6 million people will be at risk of becoming acutely food insecure. Malnutrition, which has already surged threefold in the past five years, will continue to worsen. Water scarcity, already critical due to the high number of water stations forced of service by hostilities and resource challenges, will pose increased public health risks as we approach the summer season. And tragically, women and girls will face greater exposure to gender-based violence, and less support to mitigate the consequences. Children will become increasingly vulnerable to violence and abuse. And there will be significant gaps in our ability to survey and clear explosive ordnance, worsening the threat to safety. Immediate and sustained funding is critical to addressing these and many other urgent needs, and to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria. Now, we have the capacity to meet the needs of 6 million people a month in Syria. But not the funding. Again, we are grateful for your support and urge you to translate pledges into payments as fast as possible. The other critical piece of the puzzle is the need for effective, timely and unhindered humanitarian access across the country, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Aid workers must have the space to decide on the most efficient ways to deliver aid, free from undue political interference and indeed targeting. And they must be able to reach people in need of assistance by the most efficient and effective means possible. This is particularly pertinent for the north of Syria, where in the past year – along with the rest of Syria – we have witnessed a spike in hostilities, driving increased suffering of civilians and further displacement.

We recently received agreement from the Government of Syria for our continued use of the Bab Al-Salam and Al-Rai crossings until 13 August. This was welcomed. We are actively working to secure a similar renewal of authorization for the Bab Al-Hawa crossing. It is eminently clear that the cross-border operation will continue to be vital for the foreseeable future, providing life-saving services for the people in north-west Syria. Expanding crossline deliveries throughout Syria, including to the northwest, will remain an urgent humanitarian imperative. We welcome any and all support to ensure we can continue to access people in need. Finally, increased financial support for the humanitarian response plan is essential, not only to provide much needed life-saving assistance, but also so we can push forward on early recovery efforts. Prolonged reliance on emergency aid is neither economically viable nor dignified for those affected. Early recovery interventions are needed to rehabilitate essential services and livelihoods, restore self-sufficiency to communities, and reduce the reliance on humanitarian aid. Alongside the important political and peace efforts being facilitated by Special Envoy Pedersen, it is hoped that this early recovery work will start to lay the groundwork for a day when the people of Syria can put this grueling predicament behind them. Until then, they have no choice other than counting on you to keep their hope alive in their hour of greatest need. Thank you.