Statement by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan [EN/AR]

17 February 2016, Amman - Over the last three months, an intensification of shelling and aerial bombardment in Southern Syria has led to massive displacement of civilians. An estimated 70,000 civilians have fled their homes, many of who have been displaced for a second or third time in their search for safety. Nearly 50,000 of these people remain displaced in harsh winter conditions. Basic services have been suspended due to aerial shelling and over five health facilities have been struck and damaged in the past months rendering them fully or partially inoperable.

To meet the priority needs of these people who have been displaced, the United Nations and its partners have increased the delivery of humanitarian assistance through the Ramtha border. Delivery of aid to desperately vulnerable Syrians in southern Syria is only possible with the facilitation and unprecedented cooperation and support of the Jordanian authorities, in compliance with Security Council Resolutions 2165, 2191 and 2258. Humanitarian assistance delivered through cross-border operations is coordinated with the UN in Syria and UN and non-governmental partners based in Jordan and Syria.

In the past two weeks additional convoys have been sent reaching, more than 7,000 children and 25,000 adults with blankets, winter clothing, household items and basic shelter materials. In addition 25,000 hygiene kits for families including infants have been delivered and over 13,000 people have been provided with food rations for one month. Immediate plans are in place to deliver food rations for an additional 55,500 IDPs and pre-position basic household items for up to 100,000 people.

The United Nations and partners are deeply concerned about the human cost of the ongoing hostilities between the Government of Syria and opposition forces-- a tragic reminder of the urgency in finding a political solution and rapidly moving towards a cessation of hostilities as agreed at the Munich talks. The UN urges all parties to the conflict to end unlawful attacks and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure as required by international humanitarian law and international human rights laws.

Edward Kallon
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan

For media inquiries, please contact:
Nora Isayan, Communication Analyst, Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator – Jordan Tel: +962 6 510 0420 Ext. 259 Mobile: +962 79 855 7128 E-mail: nora.isayan@one.un.org