Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Geneva, SANA- Ambassador Haider Ali Ahmed, Representative of Syria to the United Nations Office in Geneva, has stressed the need for the immediate, complete and unconditional lifting of the unilateral and illegitimate coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people.
These measures constitute an obstacle to humanitarian and development action and a major challenge towards saving several basic vital sectors, Ambassador Ali Ahmad said.
Ali Ahmed’s remarks came during the general debate on humanitarian affairs segment of the Economic and Social Council held in Geneva.
“Since the beginning of the terrorist war waged on my country, the government of the Syrian Arab Republic has spared no effort in carrying out its duty, to meet all the humanitarian needs of its citizens, and to improve their living conditions, as it has always been keen to cooperate with the United Nations and its organizations working in the humanitarian field,” the Syrian diplomat said.
He added “The efforts undertaken by Syria to improve the humanitarian situation of the Syrians have faced and are still facing real challenges that have had a significant impact on the lack of tangible progress in the humanitarian situation until today.”
Ali Ahmad reaffirmed the need for the immediate, complete and unconditional lifting of the illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Syrians which hinder the humanitarian and developmental work.
He underlined the importance of international donors fulfilling their commitments and providing the required funding for the activities and programs of the United Nations, in order to allow the implementation of projects included in the humanitarian response plan and the strategic framework for cooperation between Syria and the United Nations.
He noted that the funding of the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023 did not exceed 11 percent of the total amount required and the emergency humanitarian needs imposed by the devastating earthquake, as the humanitarian situation worsened.
The ambassador noted that with regard to the main causes of humanitarian needs, a comprehensive and realistic approach should be adopted that tackles the role of foreign occupation and terrorism in the emergence and prolongation of humanitarian crises, and the role of unilateral coercive measures, climate change, drought, water shortages and food insecurity in exacerbating humanitarian and living conditions.
The ambassador underscored the importance of activating the link between relief and development action, as it is an effective solution to deal with many humanitarian crises.
Manar Salameh/ Ruaa al-Jazaeri
