New York, Aug 18 (IBNS): Horrified by the "total disrespect" for civilian life in Syria, as evidenced by airstrikes on a market in Douma, the top United Nations humanitarian official today warned that the protracted conflict in the country not only severely affects the lives of millions of people, but also threatens the stability of the entire region and beyond.
Syria: UN special envoy condemns indiscriminate shelling in civilian areas
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Condemning the continued use of indiscriminate weapons in civilian areas of Syria, the United Nations special envoy for the country has today renewed his call on the warring parties to immediately cease such attacks and focus on finding a political solution to the “unacceptable situation†in their homeland.
Syria: Security Council approves probe into the use of chemical weapons
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Thursday gave the greenlight for the establishment of a Joint Investigative Mechanism to identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Syria’s grim statistics speak for themselves: Security Council
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): A political solution is more urgent than ever to end the “futile, hopeless†cycle of brutality and violence in Syria, the top United Nations humanitarian official said on Tuesday, urging the Security Council to consider its options through “the eyes of the beleaguered, now long-suffering†civilians.
Syria: bread prices up nearly 90 per cent, pushing more people into hunger, UN report warns
New York , July 24 (IBNS) Syria’s food production in 2015 remains at 40 per cent below its pre-crisis levels, impacting the price of bread, which has spiralled by 87 per cent, and shrinking poultry production by half, according to a United Nations agency report released on Thursdaythat warns that "the risk of irreversible damage to the children is real, with tragic future consequences."
New York, July 3 (IBNS) Much more needs to be done to reverse the trend of an ever increasing number of children forced to work as a result of the conflict in Syria often "carrying heavy loads, being exposed to pesticides and toxic chemicals, and working long hours," according to a joint report released on Thursday by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Save the Children.
Syria: UN special envoy continues consultations on ways to end an escalating conflict
New York, June 27 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, continues his talks with the parties to the conflict in this country within the framework of the Geneva consultations, having on Thursday met with leaders of the Syrian tribes, according to a UN spokesperson.
UN relief workers press ahead with effort to reach Yarmouk camp in Syria
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS)United Nations relief workers on Thursday provided drinking water, bread and recreational kits for children in displaced communities outside Yarmouk camp, the former heart of Palestine refugee community, and sought access to the besieged suburb itself, where the basic humanitarian needs of some 18,000 Palestinian and Syrian civilians are left unmet.
Syria, other poorly-funded crises to receive $100 million from UN emergency fund
New York, Jan 24 (IBNS) Poorly-funded United Nations aid operations received a boost on Friday when Valerie Amos, the UN's humanitarian chief, announced the allocation of $100 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to boost relief work in twelve countries in need.
Syria: humanitarian efforts falling short, UN relief chief warns, calling for end to violence
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): While humanitarians have made some progress in delivering much-needed supplies to the growing numbers of people in conflict-riven Syria, efforts by the United Nations and its partners are still falling short, a top UN relief official has said today, calling on the Security Council to push for an end to the violence that is destroying the country and destabilizing the region.
Syria: UN envoy proposes new plan to 'freeze' conflict, promote political solution
New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The war in Syria must be "frozen locally" on the ground so that the growing threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) may be fully confronted, a United Nations envoy said on Monday, suggesting that a peace introduced in increments would also provide all stakeholders with a better understanding of how to bring the three-year conflict to a definitive conclusion.
Syria: Security Council condemns bomb attacks on school in Homs
New York, Oct 4 (IBNS) The members of the Security Council on Friday added their voices to growing condemnation of twin bomb attacks on a school complex in Syria that killed dozens of children.
'Flagrant' violations of international law continue in Syria, top UN relief official warns
New York, July 31 (IBNS) 'Flagrant' violations of international law continue in Syria, Top UN relief official warns With the United Nations and its partners in Syria begin to ramp up aid deliveries across battle lines, the Organization's Emergency Relief Coordinator warned on Wednesday that attacks on civilians by all parties to the conflict and human rights abuses continue "in flagrant violation of the most basic principles of international law."
Syria: UN agency urges Europe to shoulder more of refugee challenge
New York, July 12 (IBNS)With Syria heading into its fourth year of conflict, a United Nations agency on Friday called on Europe to do more to help Syrian refugees, after a new report found that some nations in the region are turning back asylum seekers and ‘shouldering only a small part’ of the challenges.
Humanitarian needs outpacing response amid ongoing obstacles to aid delivery in Syria: UN
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Four months after the Security Council adopted a resolution demanding unimpeded access to people in need of assistance in Syria, relief agencies continue to face obstacles to aid delivery while the needs continue to grow and are now outpacing response efforts, the United Nations humanitarian chief reported Thursday.