Press Release

The recent influx of Syrian and Lebanese families into Syria - Joint Statement by UN RC/HC for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, and RHC for the Syria Crisis, Ramanathan Balakrishnan

26 September 2024

We are closely monitoring the alarming developments in the region. Over the past few days, we have witnessed an influx of thousands of Syrians and Lebanese crossing into Rural Damascus, Homs, and Tartous Governorates.

We welcome the Government of Syria’s decision to open all border crossings to civilians arriving from Lebanon. These are traumatised people fleeing hostilities for their lives. Some families have reported travelling for two days to reach the borders, while others have traversed treacherous mountains on foot, arriving in a state of desperate need and exhaustion.

The UN and partners are working closely with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and mobilising an immediate response providing water, food, mattresses, blankets, and other essential non-food items. Humanitarian partners are stationed at the borders to monitor the situation and conduct needs assessments.

We reiterate the Secretary General’s call for de-escalation in the region and its far-reaching repercussions. We cannot afford more humanitarian crises, as the resilience of the people has already been tested beyond measure. In Syria, 16.7 million people need humanitarian assistance, while the humanitarian response remains underfunded, with just over 25 per cent of the financial requirements met to date.

The international community must come together to prevent further suffering. It is our collective responsibility to act swiftly and effectively.

For more information:

Ghalia Seifo, Public Information Officer, OCHA Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa Mobile: + 962 79 897 4125 | E-mail: seifo@un.org

Adam Abdelmoula

Adam Abdelmoula

RCO
Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator
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.

UN entities involved in this initiative

OCHA
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
RCO
United Nations Resident Coordinator Office

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