Since November 27 last year, more than 3.2 million Syrians have received bread, and about 400 thousand have received other food aid. UN hopes for success of transition period in Syria Peace and security
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen praised the “meaningful and comprehensive” conversation he held in Damascus with the head of the interim Syrian authorities, Ahmed al-Sharaa. This was announced on Monday by UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric at a press briefing in New York.
During the meeting in Damascus, Geir Pedersen stressed that the international community hopes for the success of the Syrian transition. The Special Envoy outlined the United Nations’ plans to support the Syrian people across a range of common priorities and in accordance with the principles set out in Security Council Resolution 2254.
In particular, Pedersen reiterated the importance of all states, including Israel, respecting the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, and recognizing the need for an inclusive and credible political transition. The Special Envoy looks forward to continued consultations in Syria with a broad range of stakeholders.
Security Situation
Meanwhile, the security situation in Syria remains difficult. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is concerned about the intensification of hostilities in the north-east of the country. Between 16 and 18 January, at least three civilians were killed and 14 wounded in shelling and clashes near the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo. Ambulances and other civilian objects were damaged.
A car bomb exploded on January 17, damaging several shops in the main market of the city of Menbij. Water stations and other civilian infrastructure were damaged in the fighting in Ar-Raqqa and Al-Hasakeh governorates.
Humanitarian Aid
The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide food, cash, winter clothing and medicine to displaced people in Syria where the security situation allows. Since November 27 last year, more than 3.2 million people across the country have received bread, and about 400,000 have received other food aid.
Last Friday, the UN World Food Programme sent 11 vehicles with 286 tons of humanitarian aid from Turkey to northern Aleppo.