The Director of Operations and Advocacy at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Edem Wasserno, addressed the UN Security Council on Wednesday, calling for immediate action to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Syria amid escalating violence in the region.
Speaking at the same session that heard from the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Wasserno detailed the worsening situation on the ground, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and militant groups in Gaza and Lebanon. She warned that this regional conflict is pushing Syria, already devastated by more than a decade of conflict, closer to a humanitarian disaster.
“The risks posed by the escalation in the region are having a devastating impact on the already deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria,” Wasserno said. She pointed out that more than 16.7 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria, while over seven million are internally displaced.
Wasserno highlighted the recent influx of refugees from Lebanon into Syria as a result of Israeli airstrikes and regime attacks. “Since September 23, more than 425,000 people have fled from Lebanon to Syria, 72% of whom are Syrians, and nearly 60% of whom are children,” she told the council.
She called for greater international support to address the urgent needs of displaced populations, particularly women and children, who are at increased risk of gender-based violence. “Women and girls continue to bear a disproportionate burden in this crisis,” Wasserno added, urging member states to increase funding for programs aimed at protecting vulnerable populations.
OCHA, Wasserno said, has finalized a five-year recovery strategy for 2024-2028 to address both immediate and long-term needs in Syria. The approach focuses on improving access to health, education, water, sanitation, and sustainable livelihoods as part of an integrated response to the crisis.
“While short-term interventions are crucial, we need to think beyond emergency response,” Wasserno stated. “The humanitarian community is working to launch targeted, area-based programs that can create more sustainable solutions for those who have depended on assistance for years.”
Wasserno also emphasized the continued military escalation in Syria, particularly in the north, where Assad regime forces and their Russian allies have intensified attacks on the liberated areas. Recent shelling has resulted in numerous civilian casualties, compounding the already desperate situation for many Syrians.
“This ongoing conflict is not only increasing displacement but also undermining efforts to rebuild critical infrastructure and restore basic services,” Wasserno said. “We must do everything we can to protect these civilians and ensure they have access to the resources they need to survive.” The UN official concluded by urging the international community to take decisive action, warning that without sufficient support, Syria could face an even greater humanitarian catastrophe.
