United Nations humanitarian chief is shocked by reports of deaths in Homs, Syria

(New York: 23 August 2011): Valerie Amos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, expressed serious concern at reports of protesters being killed and injured in the Syrian city of Homs, after a UN humanitarian mission visited the area yesterday.

“I am shocked by these reports,” said Ms. Amos. According to the UN, some 2,200 people have been killed in the violence around Syria since March. “I call on the Syrian authorities to ensure that people are allowed to protest peacefully and in safety.”

For further information, please call: OCHA-New York: Amanda Pitt, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 442 1810, pitta@un.org, OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int