International Donors’ Conference “Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria”, The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, MR. El-Mostafa BENLAMLIH

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bonsoir and Al-Salam Alikium

The earthquake has been for Syrian people akin to the effect of COVID-19 infecting a sick body weakened by 12 years of crisis. Its impact is devastating. This time it is not war, it is the very earth Syrians believed it was reliable, until it shook. This is a crisis on top of a crisis and terrible shock for Syrians.

Since the 6th of February, 500,000 people have been displaced, and thousands more lost access to basic services and livelihood. Collective shelters, camps, and informal settlements are overcrowded. Violence, abuse, and mental health are on the rise. Hygiene is disastrous, and cholera lurks around the corner.

As USG Achim Steiner just said, before this earthquake, 15.3 million people— 70 per cent of the country’s population—needed assistance. 4.1 million were already living under extreme or catastrophic humanitarian conditions. Add to this a terrible earthquake.

Human reality is grim.

Dina is a young teacher, mother of 4 children, and displaced for the third time in 12 years. I met her in a shelter in Aleppo. Her building collapsed. She now lives in the very same classroom where she used to teach. She lost everything. Fridge, TV, furniture, everything. Her husband’s small business is buried under the rubble. From a struggling middle class, the family is suddenly thrown into the humanitarian basket. She is scared to go to the bathroom at night. “There is no light, no running water, no security. We have nothing left." She shouted.

Thousands of men, women, children, orphans, and vulnerable people need shelter, food, medicine, blankets, toilets, water, electricity, sewerage, education, health services, and protection. Above all, they need dignity, they need jobs, and legitimate options in life. If left without options, people will seek alternatives elsewhere.

The first weeks of response have uncovered deep vulnerabilities that need to be addressed if humanitarian efforts are to be effective. The absence of basic enabling systems, that is energy, water, sewerage, and basic infrastructure is hindering humanitarian work. Business as usual will only lead to more People-in-Need.

Let us do it right this time. While lifesaving and life sustenance are important, assistance must take the people out of poverty, reduce vulnerabilities, and break the cycle of dependency on aid.

Excellencies,

The estimated needs are vast and vary between $7.9 billion (the WB) and $14.8 billion (UN). The preliminary UN estimates come from the Syria Earthquake Recovery Needs Assessment, or SERNA. The most badly hit sectors are Housing, Land and Settlements, Health and Nutrition, Education, and WASH. 75% are partially damaged, if repaired immediately will restore services and allow people to live with some sense of dignity.

The UN is already on the ground and we are ready to scale our efforts to the needs.

The next 24 months are crucial. We need both life sustenance and early recovery. These are two sides of the same coin. Life sustenance alone will only lead to an increase in the number of People in Need.

Excellencies,

Millions of men, women, and children in Syria, in all of Syria, need our support. Let us focus on people not on politics. We need your support, we need funds, and we need access.

Humanitarian assistance needs to flow without any hinderances.

Without adequate resources, and a proper approach, there could be more people require humanitarian assistance by the start of 2024.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Please be generous. Help the survivors recover their livelihoods so they are able to put food on the table. Help them rebuild their lives. Young boys and girls must enjoy safety of a home, education, health, protections, and a better future.

If we do not act now, hundreds of thousands will be trapped into poverty, despair, and chaos. Let us make sure we put people first.

Your presence today, is a proof that you care.

Thank you.