UN humanitarian chief arrives in Syria for talks
DAMASCUS, SYRIA — The United Nations humanitarian chief was in Damascus on Sunday for talks with Syrian officials about the nation’s conflict, which has forced millions of people from their homes, destroyed the country’s cities and created food and fuel shortages.
Valerie Amos did not make any public remarks upon her arrival in Damascus for a twoday visit, but at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, she said world powers had not done enough to lessen Syrian suffering.
“The humanitarian situation in Syria is already catastrophic and it’s clearly getting worse,” she said. “What we are seeing now are the consequences of the failure of the international community to unite to resolve the crisis.”
The UN says more than 60,000 people have been killed since the start of the conflict in March 2011.
Living conditions have deteriorated across Syria during the 22-month conflict, which began with political protests that escalated into a civil war. Entire towns and neighbourhoods have been damaged in the fighting, and more than two million people are internally displaced, with another 650,000 seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
On Friday, the UN announced it was preparing to send $10 million in new aid to help alleviate hunger in northern Syria.