Syria: Civilians face ‘daily nightmare’ in Idlib, says top UN official

“I am alarmed at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Idlib, northwest Syria, where over three million civilians remain trapped in a war zone – the vast majority of them women and children”, Mark Cutts said in a statement.

The downward spiraling situation is occurring in bitter winter temperatures that pose further risks to those who fled with little more than the clothes on their backs.

"I am alarmed at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Idleb, northwest Syria, where over three million civilians remain trapped in a war zone – the vast majority of them women and children."

Statement by Mark Cutts, Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis on the...

English News and Press Release on Syrian Arab Republic about Health, Protection and Human Rights, Children, IDPs and more; published on 07 Jan 2020 by OCHA

Moreover, many are currently living in tents and makeshift shelters, exposed to the elements in inhospitable places.

‘Dire situation’

This latest wave of displacement “compounds an already dire situation in Idlib – a densely populated governorate already hosting displaced people from all over Syria”, informed the official from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

An additional 400,000 people in southern Idlib were displaced and at least 1,300 civilians were killed by airstrikes and shelling between May and August last year, bringing the total number of people displaced by fighting across the last rebel-held enclave in the last eight months, to over 700,000.

“Every day we receive more disturbing reports of families caught up in the violence, seeking refuge and access to essential services in overcrowded camps and urban areas”, he continued, adding that many are sheltering in schools, mosques and other public buildings.

In tandem, critical shortages of food, shelter, health and other basic survival services are being reported across Idleb.

Struggling to cope

And humanitarian organizations are struggling to cope with the increased needs.

According to Mr. Cutts, “at least 13 health facilities in Idlib have recently been forced to suspend their operations due to the security situation”, exacerbating the suffering of the local population and heightening levels of vulnerability.

On Sunday, he recalled receiving reports of “at least nine civilians killed and 20 others injured in Ariha, following airstrikes in the area”, which also destroyed a school, a kindergarten and a mosque, amongst other buildings, he stated.

“This is but one example of the daily nightmare being faced by the civilian population of Idleb”, Cutts spelled out.

This incident follows a string of similar and equally disturbing incidents in the last few weeks.

Airstrikes and shelling continue

“Airstrikes and shelling are now taking place in many towns and villages on a near daily basis”, he lamented.

The United Nations continues to call on all parties to the conflict to take every necessary measure to ensure that civilians are protected, in accordance with international humanitarian law, and for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Photo caption and credit:
UNICEF
A hospital for women and children in Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic, lies severely damaged by air strikes that came in the early morning hours.