OCHA Operations Director to visit Syria and neighbouring countries amid rapidly growing needs

OCHA Director of Operations, John Ging, is scheduled to visit Syria from 6 to 8 April 2013, Lebanon on 8 April, Jordan from 9 to 10 April and Turkey from 11 to 12 April.

During the mission, Mr. Ging aims to review the humanitarian response to the rapidly escalating crisis, including how to reach all people in need wherever they are.

Basic services have collapsed in Syria, with 57 per cent of public hospitals damaged and a fifth of the country’s schools damaged or being used as shelters for displaced people. Essential items, including bread, clean water and medicines, are in short supply.

More than 1.25 million Syrians have fled the crisis and are now refugees in neighbouring countries, North Africa and Europe.