‘Better future for Syria remains within reach,’ UN Security Council hears
“There is now a genuine opportunity to help Syrians move from survival towards recovery,” said Assistant Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs Indrika Ratwatte, on behalf of
“There is now a genuine opportunity to help Syrians move from survival towards recovery,” said Assistant Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs Indrika Ratwatte, on behalf of UN relief chief Tom Fletcher. “This moment requires ambition anchored in realism: sustained humanitarian action, political will and investment are essential to help Syrians move beyond emergency assistance and rebuild their lives.” Despite signs of progress towards recovery, reconstruction and development, “humanitarian needs remain acute, displacement persists and conditions for sustainable returns are still uneven across the country,” Mr. Ratwatte said. Millions remain displaced Millions of Syrians remain displaced, both within Syria and abroad. Since December 2024, some 1.6 million refugees and nearly two million internally displaced people have returned. Tweet URL As people go back to their communities, access to basic services, protection and livelihoods is critical, and returns and reintegration must remain safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable, Mr. Ratwatte said. While aid operations are delivering, serving 3,000 communities and reaching three million people in the first quarter of this year, he said resources remain insufficient, adding that “with more support, much more can be achieved.” To address this, meetings between the government and UN partners in May mapped out the path forward under the No Camps, No Tents vision, focused on protection, service provision and sustainable livelihoods, alongside Syria’s statement of national recovery priorities, which provides a clear national direction for recovery and reintegration.
Beyond emergency aid Noting that the $2.92 billion humanitarian appeal is just 20 per cent funded, Mr. Ratwatte issued three requests for Security Council action “ Help us sustain a humanitarian response that is proving it can deliver. Predictable and flexible funding are essential” that is proving it can deliver. Predictable and flexible funding are essential” “We must support Syria’s transition beyond emergency aid by helping address the barriers preventing people from rebuilding their lives” by helping address the barriers preventing people from rebuilding their lives” “We require sustained investment in recovery and reconstruction, aligned with the government’s “Statement of Recovery Priorities” and guided by the needs and rights of affected communities “We must meet urgent needs today while laying the foundations for lasting stability and prosperity,” he said, adding that development financing, economic recovery and stronger services will be essential to ensuring Syria’s transition is sustainable. ‘Opportunity and fragility exist side-by-side’ Also briefing the Council, the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Claudio Cordone, said “Syria’s political transition is at a critical phase, with opportunity and fragility existing side-by-side.” Highlighting recent meetings in Damascus with ministers, survivors and families of victims of past atrocities and a wide range of civil society and women actors, he said voting had taken place peacefully in the past weeks, however, more than eight months since the main elections, the People’s Assembly has still not been constituted, awaiting the Presidential appointment of a third of its members.
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