February 26, 2021 | 16:19 (GMT+7)
Vietnam shares concern over worsening humanitarian situation in Syria
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, called on related sides in Syria to enhance cooperation in order to ensure humanitarian aid is not disrupted and is delivered to all regions at the right time.
He made the appeal while speaking at a working session of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on February 25.
|
|
Vietnam shares the concern of other UNSC member countries over the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria, especially the information about food insecurity. |
The ambassador shared the concern of UNSC member countries over the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria, especially the information about food insecurity and the impact of the current severe economic crisis on Syrians, notably vulnerable groups like children.
Quy also called for more international support to Syrians, and stressed the demand for access to COVID-19 vaccine amidst the complex development of the pandemic in the country.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, cited the World Food Programme as saying that around 60 percent of the Syrian population, that’s 12.4 million people, do not have regular access to enough safe and nutritious food. An additional 4.5 million people have fallen into this category over the last year.
Syria’s fragile economy has suffered multiple shocks over the past 18 months, he added.
Average household expenses now exceed average income by an estimated 20 percent. More than 70 percent of Syrians say they have taken on new debt over the last year. Many are selling assets and livestock.
Source: VNA