UN says 16 million people need aid in Syria as displacement crisis worsens

The United Nations (UN) has described the situation in Syria as chaotic, with over 16 million people in need of assistance. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that between November 28 and December 8, 1 million people were displaced from their homes in the west and northwest of Syria. The displaced are primarily women and children from the Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Idlib governorates.

OCHA highlighted the urgent need for shelter, food, and sanitation facilities. While some people have started returning home in recent days, transportation routes remain disrupted, hindering the movement of people, goods, and humanitarian aid. Looting of civilian properties, factories, and warehouses holding humanitarian supplies has been reported.

Despite these challenges, OCHA and its partners continue to provide emergency aid. In northwest Syria, humanitarian organizations have resumed regular operations in Idlib and northern Aleppo, and the three Turkey-Syria border crossings used for aid delivery remain open.

The situation in Aleppo, where many have fled, remains dire, with health facilities overwhelmed due to shortages of staff, medicine, and supplies. Health partners are providing critical services, including trauma care and mobile medical units.

UNICEF and UNFPA have deployed teams in Homs, while health facilities in northwest Syria have resumed operations, although some remain non-functional. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi expressed concern, saying Syria is at a crossroads between peace and war. He emphasized the importance of safe, voluntary returns for refugees, but noted that uncertainty remains regarding the safety of returnees.

The UN continues to call on donors to provide resources to support refugees in host countries and ensure aid reaches those in need.