Syrian Plight Falls by the Wayside - United Nations Warn of Humanitarian Blindness

While the world commonly remains focused on the escalating conflicts such as the dispute in Ukraine or the Gaza conflict, the United Nations is pointing to a largely ignored emergency: the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Adam Abdelmoula, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Syria, expressed serious concerns on Friday regarding the worsening situation on the ground. He emphasized that the neglect of Syrian distress can have not only local but also global impacts, specifically an increase in migration movements towards Europe. The humanitarian situation in Syria is deteriorating, according to Abdelmoula, and should this not be addressed promptly, he forecasts a noticeable rise in migration. He warned European nations to consider their own national interest, which lies in adequate humanitarian support with respect to costs and the resulting reduction in asylum-seeking migrants. A clear indicator of the growing problem is the 38 percent increase in Syrian asylum applications in Europe to 181,000 requests in the 2023 annual comparison. In depicting further burdens on Syria, the coordinator mentioned the effects of the Gaza war, which are additionally straining Syrian society. Specifically, he speaks of intensified Israeli attacks and inflation, which is amplified by the Gaza conflict as cargo ships are rerouted in the Red Sea. From a video briefing held in Damascus, this information was conveyed by Abdelmoula to reporters in Geneva. The figures laid out by the UN coordinator are alarming: the need for humanitarian aid in Syria has risen to 16.7 million people, a significant increase compared to previous years. In addition to ongoing conflicts, the country is severely affected by the climate crisis, with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius and decreasing rainfall. Families are faced with the choice of skipping meals or even forgoing medication to feed their children. The United Nations is urgently calling on the international community to increase the aid budget. The goal for 2024 is a funding volume of 4.07 billion dollars, of which only 0.02 percent was covered by March 1. It is a financial shortfall that unmistakably necessitates the need for solidarity in action.