United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for »renewed energy» for humanitarian aid in Syria as it marks 12 years since the start of the conflict and the country faces a new tragedy, such as the earthquake that struck the area in February.
March 11 marks 12 years of crushing conflict, systematic atrocities, and unimaginable human suffering in Syria,» the secretary lamented in a statement.
He assured that the new needs of Syrians, especially in the northwest region, the most affected by the earthquake, require a commitment to »secure a nationwide ceasefire», and called on the international community »to act together to advance the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people and create the conditions necessary for the voluntary return of refugees in safety and dignity».
»The efforts provided in the aftermath of the earthquakes must be redirected to renewed energies in the political arena, to respond to the fundamental issues that underpin the conflict in Syria,» Guterres has called for.
The Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, detailed that since the start of the emergency response following the earthquake, more than 280,000 people in Syria have received protection, and more than 185,000 people have had access to humanitarian relief supplies.
He also detailed that the number of trucks with humanitarian aid materials that they have been able to transport to Syria across Turkey represents, one month after the earthquake, twice as many as they were able to provide last year.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
