Published on: 2026-05-16
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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At the Security Council meeting on Friday, senior UN officials stated that the humanitarian situation in Syria remains critical, despite signs of stabilization and efforts to restore the country.
Deputy Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria Claudio Cordone and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher emphasized that the country is at a turning point, and success is possible only with sustainable financing, expanded humanitarian access, and support for peace processes.
Scale of needs and financing deficit
Tom Fletcher reported that Syria’s humanitarian needs remain enormous: assistance in 2026 will be required by 15.6 million people – two-thirds of the population. At the same time, only 16 percent of funding has been allocated, which has already led to cuts in humanitarian programs.
According to him, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) was forced to halve the provision of emergency aid (it is received by 650 thousand people instead of the previous 1.3 million people) and suspend subsidies for bread.
“If we do not fulfill the humanitarian component of our mission and do not ensure the transition to economic recovery, today’s problems will turn tomorrow into irreversible crises,” Fletcher warned.
Return of refugees
Fletcher noted that against the backdrop of improved humanitarian access and reduced violence, the number of returning refugees and internally displaced persons is increasing.
Since the beginning of March, more than 390,000 people have crossed the border with Lebanon towards Syria. The population increase intensifies the burden on infrastructure, the housing market, and social services, which are already overloaded due to rising fuel prices, electricity outages, and the consequences of recent floods.
The outbreaks of diseases – from measles to leishmaniasis – only emphasize the inadequacy of medical assistance and the difficulties in accessing clean water.
“Delayed” Justice
Claudio Cordone spoke about political and legal changes in the country. He called the recent arrests and trials related to crimes committed at the beginning of the civil conflict “historic,” including the case of repression in the city of Daraa in 2011 and the arrest of a suspect in the massacre in Tadamon.
Both speakers emphasized the need to accelerate the country’s restoration, including demining, which remains a key condition for the return of Syrians and the resumption of agriculture. Since December 2024, more than 1,200 incidents involving explosive devices have been recorded, most of them in rural areas.
UN representatives announced their readiness to support the Syrian government’s initiative “No Tents and Camps,” aimed at transitioning from emergency aid to sustainable solutions. Fletcher and Cordone called on the international community to mobilize funding, support infrastructure restoration, and create conditions for the return of Syrians.
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