Damascus - New York: Europe and the Arabs

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that population movements continue across Syria, with more than 670,000 people displaced since November 2024, while more than one million people have returned to their areas of origin. According to the UN daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning, the UN office stated that contamination by unexploded ordnance, mines, improvised explosive devices, and other remnants of war continues to have deadly effects across the country. Since December 8, 2024, more than 900 civilian casualties have been reported, including 367 deaths and 542 injuries. Children account for more than a third of these casualties.
Meanwhile, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said in his daily press briefing that the United Nations and its partners continue to provide assistance throughout the country despite the challenging funding environment. This includes supporting displacement sites, creating livelihood opportunities, restoring water supplies, and providing food and nutrition assistance.
He noted that the humanitarian appeal for January through June seeks to raise $2 billion to support 8 million people, but is only 10 percent funded, with only $204 million received.