New York/IBNS: The risk of the COVID-19 pandemic having a devastating impact on war-torn Syria is intensifying, where six million are displaced, living in conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to the deadly virus, the Senior Humanitarian Advisor to the UN Special Envoy to Syria warned on Thursday.
“The current situation is new and unlike any we have dealt with in Syria for the last nine years. All Syrians – and all those who provide (humanitarian) assistance – are at risk,” Najat Rochdi told the International Syria Support Group Humanitarian Task Force, headquartered in Geneva, which met via video-teleconference.
Throughout Syria, she said, efforts are being stepped up to prepare laboratories and isolation wards and to raise public awareness of COVID-19 mitigation and prevention measures. Health facilities and selected intensive care units are being prepared and communities most at risk identified.She urged members of the Group – which brings together the United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League and several Member States - to do all they can to ensure that help reaches Syrians across the country as soon as possible.
In its 1 April situation report, the World Health Organization (WHO) said there were 10 confirmed cases – all imported – and two fatalities, so far, in Syria.
Rochdi’s remarks echoed those made on Monday by Geir Pedersen, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, who told the Security Council that Syria – with a badly devastated healthcare system - is at “high risk” of being unable to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ceasefire essential
Participating in today’s video-teleconference, Pedersen reiterated his appeal for a complete and immediate ceasefire throughout Syria – one that would enable an all-out effort against the novel coronavirus and to spare all Syrians more suffering.
The Special Envoy also saluted front-line humanitarian workers and doctors and nurses across Syria who are responding to COVID-19 at great risk to their own lives.He expressed his readiness to work with all parties to the conflict - now in its tenth year – and acknowledged the efforts made so far by the Syrian Government, the Syrian opposition coalition and de facto authorities in areas outside government control to respond to the outbreak.
Emphasizing that Syria’s public health system is fragile and in need of considerable support to reinforce its capacity, Ms. Rochdi said that additional medical equipment, devices and supplies are urgently needed.
Millions of Syrian refugees hosted in neighbouring countries – such as Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan - also need assistance, she said, especially those living in overpopulated camps and informal settlements.
Speedy cooperation is critical
“It is absolutely critical to work cooperatively and move quickly”, she added, stressing the importance of keeping borders and internal crossing points open for the shipment of humanitarian workers and relief items.
For their part, donor countries – including those which have imposed sanctions – must ensure that exemptions for medical care be fully and immediately utilized and all obstacles put aside, as the crisis unfolds, she added.
Also participating in today’s video-conference was the UN humanitarian leadership in Syria and the Organization’s regional hubs in Turkey and Jordan, as discussion focused on urgent humanitarian access needs.
Officials from the WHO meanwhile spoke more specifically on emergency preparedness and response to the pandemic.
Photo caption and credit: WFP/Photolibrary Many towns in northwestern Syria have been destroyed in the conflict.
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