Press Release

Statement by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, on the Devastating Wildfires in Lattakia

06 July 2025

Damascus, Syria, 6 July 2025 - The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Mr. Adam Abdelmoula, is saddened and concerned by the devastating wildfires sweeping across northern rural Lattakia governorate where the rapidly advancing blazes have forced hundreds of families to flee their homes, while vast tracts of agricultural land and vital infrastructure have been destroyed.

UN teams are on the ground conducting urgent assessments to determine the scale of the disaster and to identify the most immediate humanitarian needs. The United Nations stands ready to swiftly mobilize support for authorities and affected communities, working in close coordination with all relevant partners.

“At this difficult time, our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Lattakia,” said Mr. Abdelmoula. “We are steadfast in our commitment to support local authorities and provide timely, principled assistance to all affected communities, ensuring that urgent needs are addressed swiftly and effectively.”

The United Nations stands ready to deploy a joint inter-agency mission to Lattakia, in coordination with authorities and partners, to assess further the situation and explore avenues for immediate and long-term support.

The United Nations commends the extraordinary courage and dedication of firefighters and first responders risking their lives in extremely challenging conditions. The UN also acknowledges and appreciates the rapid support extended by neighbouring countries to help contain the fires.

The United Nations reiterates its solidarity with the people of Syria at this critical moment and stands ready to work alongside all stakeholders to ensure that no one is left behind in the response and recovery efforts.

Adam Abdelmoula

RCO

Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator

abdelmoula@un.org

Mr. Abdelmoula brings more than 35 years of experience in development, rule of law, human rights, humanitarian work and security, of which the last 24 have been with the UN.
Prior to his appointment as United Nations Resident Coordinator, he was serving as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, where he led the UN’s development and humanitarian activities amid the worst drought in generations, political instability, disease outbreaks and a looming famine.
Prior to this, Mr. Abdelmoula held different positions within the UN System, including as Director of the UN Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); Country Director for Iraq at the UN Development Programme (UNDP); Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative in Syria and Kuwait, Chief of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Section at OHCHR, Deputy Chief of the United Nations Mission in Liberia Human Rights Division, Chief Human Rights Officer of the United Nation Assistant Mission for Iraq and Senior Rule of Law and Human Rights Adviser for Somalia.
Before joining the UN, Mr. Abdelmoula worked for several international and regional organizations including Human Rights Watch, Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, the Arab Lawyers Union and the Fund for Peace.
Mr. Abdelmoula has a doctorate in public international law from Georgetown University, a Master of Law from Harvard Law School and Bachelor of Law from Khartoum University.

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