The Syrian conflict, now in its 13th year, continues to devastate the nation and claim the lives of innocent civilians. A U.N. humanitarian official has made a desperate plea for over $4 billion in aid to assist more than 10 million Syrians who are in urgent need of life-saving assistance.
Adam Abdelmoula, the resident coordinator in Syria for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, emphasized the critical situation in the country, stating that inaction would only lead to further suffering. With nearly half a million lives lost and significant portions of the nation destroyed, the Syrian crisis remains one of the deadliest in the world.
The humanitarian situation has worsened, with 16.7 million Syrians now requiring aid, up from 15.3 million the previous year. Over 7 million people are internally displaced, and nearly as many are refugees in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.
The war has pushed 90% of Syria’s population below the poverty line, with millions facing cuts in food aid due to a funding shortfall. The U.N. World Food Program had to end its main assistance program in the country in January, further exacerbating the crisis.
Abdelmoula highlighted the recent spike in hostilities, especially in the north of Syria, attributing some of the escalation to the world’s attention being diverted to other conflicts, such as Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. He urged the international community to not turn a blind eye to the situation in Syria and to provide the necessary support to alleviate the suffering of millions of Syrians.
As the conflict enters its 14th year, it is crucial for the global community to come together and provide the much-needed aid to help the people of Syria rebuild their lives and their nation.
