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United Nations warns of deteriorating humanitarian situation on the Syrian coast
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The widespread violence in coastal areas reveals the failure of the current security administration's policies and its inability to protect civilians and ensure the continuity of basic services
The United Nations has warned of deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Syria's coastal and central regions due to escalating hostilities in recent days, resulting in civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, and disruption of essential services.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdel Mawla, and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syrian Crisis, Mumin Belaktin, expressed in a joint statement their deep concern over the use of heavy weapons in the confrontations that erupted since Thursday in the governorates of Tartous, Latakia, Homs, and Hama.
The statement reviewed reports of large numbers of civilians killed and wounded, including an aid organization employee killed by sniper fire, as well as a widespread displacement of residents fleeing the ongoing clashes at a time when access to affected areas is difficult.
The UN officials pointed to severe damage to civilian infrastructure, with six hospitals and several ambulances suffering extensive damage that put them out of service, while the main Homs-Latakia road remains closed to traffic, with a widespread power outage in Latakia governorate since yesterday.
These developments have significantly impacted humanitarian operations, with all relief missions suspended in the affected areas, and humanitarian workers directed to stay in their homes, while curfew measures and restrictions on movement have hindered the access of those in need to necessary services.
The statement appealed to all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and commit to protecting civilians, civilian infrastructure, and relief operations in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights law, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the immediate, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need.
The UN officials offered their condolences to the families of the victims and wished for a speedy recovery for the injured, calling on the international community to take urgent action to end this escalating crisis.
