UN official: lifting sanctions is an opportunity to support Syrians and improve basic services.
Edim and Sorno, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), emphasized that lifting sanctions on Syria has given hope to the Syrian people, especially those returning to their homes, pointing out that it represents an opportunity to enhance humanitarian cooperation and reconstruction.
This came during a special meeting with the official "SANA" agency, where she stressed the importance of the Syrian government's cooperation with local and international organizations to achieve these goals.
Sorno explained that the cooperation continues between UN organizations and Syrian entities, such as the collaboration between the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health, the World Food Programme and the Ministry of Agriculture, in addition to UNICEF's partnership with the Ministry of Education.
She added that international support should focus on improving basic services, providing job opportunities, and enhancing social reconciliation and cohesion.
Field Visit to Assess Needs
During her recent visit to Syria, Sorno met with several Syrian officials and representatives of UN organizations, and visited the provinces of Homs, Latakia, and Aleppo to assess the needs of the population.
She confirmed that the current priorities of Syrians are "the return of displaced persons to their homes and the restoration of their livelihoods," noting that they "are not just waiting for aid, but need tools to rebuild their lives."
Role of the United Nations: Non-political Support
Sorno pointed out that the role of the United Nations is to support the Syrian people without interfering in political affairs, expressing her commitment to conveying the voices of Syrians to the international community during her upcoming visits to Lebanon, Turkey, Geneva, and New York.
She also highlighted the demands of the locals focusing on reconciliation and social cohesion, affirming that international entities will work to support the achievement of these goals.
Praise for Local Efforts and Impact of Sanctions Lift
Sorno praised the efforts of Syrian Red Crescent volunteers, local women's organizations, as well as Syrian doctors returning from countries like Germany and Turkey to work in the country's hospitals, such as the "Razi" hospital in Aleppo.
She highlighted the positive impact of lifting sanctions, allowing vital medical equipment that was previously prohibited, such as MRI machines, to enter, considering this step an opportunity to enhance infrastructure rehabilitation and services, especially with the increasing numbers of returnees from displaced and refugee populations.
Warning of Decline in International Funding
Sorno revealed a significant decline in humanitarian funding for Syria, with the funding percentage dropping from 70% in 2019 to 36% in 2024, while the current percentage does not exceed 10.3%.
She expressed hope that lifting sanctions will attract greater support from countries and international financial institutions, calling for increased direct funding to local civil organizations to reduce reliance on international bureaucracy.
Call for Humanitarian Work Mechanisms Reset
Sorno concluded by emphasizing the need to redirect humanitarian work to focus more on supporting local partners, including authorities, civil organizations, and women's groups, to ensure aid reaches more effectively and responds to actual needs on the ground.
