UN: Syria remains 'deeply fragile' as humanitarian needs grow

HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Thursday warned that Syria remains "deeply fragile" despite a relative calm in recent weeks.

It urged the Security Council to redouble efforts for peace, accountability and humanitarian support.

"As we meet, Syrians in Damascus and elsewhere, inside and outside Syria, are marking the somber anniversary of the Ghouta chemical weapons attack of 2013, a painful reminder of the suffering endured by Syrian civilians, and of the grave abuses and violations of international law that must never be repeated," UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen told the Council.

Pedersen stressed the need for renewed diplomacy and respect for Syria's sovereignty in the wake of Israeli military attacks.

"Israel's airstrikes have subsided following the latest ceasefire, but IDF ground operations in southwest Syria have continued. Such actions are unacceptable," he said, demanding "full respect for Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, underscored by adherence to the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement." Pedersen said.

Welcoming recent contacts between Syria and Israel, he said, "I welcome a ministerial-level meeting between Syria and Israel in Paris this week. There is clear scope to address the issues diplomatically and without further confrontation."

Noting concerns over terrorism, elections, and refugee return, Pedersen stated that “Syrian authorities have made commitments and taken actions to counter ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida, and it is vital that they take decisive measures to address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters."

On the political process, he urged transparency and inclusivity, warning that "anything less would entrench skepticism, aggravate the forces pulling Syria apart, and impede reconciliation."

"Despite worrying security incidents, the situation has been relatively calmer this month, and I applaud the efforts of all involved in quelling military hostilities," he said, cautioning that "the country remains deeply fragile and the transition remains on a knife-edge."

Turning to humanitarian needs, UN relief chief Tom Fletcher said the scale of suffering remains staggering.

"Across Syria, 16 million Syrians still need humanitarian support," Fletcher told the Council.

He said more than 185,000 people have been displaced in several regions, while aid convoys and medical missions continue to come under attack.

"We need better humanitarian and commercial access. And most of all, we need safety. Aid convoys have come under fire this month. There have been attacks on health facilities, medics, ambulances," he warned.

Fletcher underscored the urgency of funding, noting that "Our humanitarian appeal for 2025 is only 14% funded. Aid cuts are projected to lead to staffing cuts of at least 40% across the humanitarian community in Syria, with NGOs hit hardest."

He noted signs of progress and said, "I strongly welcome diplomatic progress made by Jordan, Türkiye, the US, France, countries from the region, and the Syrian authorities."

"This is a firm foundation for a much-needed shift from a humanitarian-led approach to a stronger development trajectory," said Fletcher. He added that "announcements of new investments in infrastructure and energy supply are encouraging, not just in their own right, but also as a signal of confidence, from the region and beyond."

Despite the challenges, he emphasized that "the Syrian people do not want to depend on humanitarian help," urging the international community to back efforts that "demonstrate that international solidarity still matters, and that coordinated international action still works."