Despite facing significant challenges and limited resources, the United Nations (UN) and its partners are making a remarkable impact in Syria, reaching around 2.5 million individuals each month. In May alone, over one million people received vital assistance, illustrating the ongoing commitment to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the region, as reported by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
One notable development is the significant increase in cross-border aid this year. From January to May, a staggering 1,185 humanitarian trucks crossed from Türkiye into Syria—six times more than during the same period in the previous year. This uptick not only highlights the growing needs but also reflects intensified efforts to deliver much-needed assistance to those affected.
However, amid these commendable efforts, Syria’s health system continues to face severe strain. Alarmingly, fewer than 60% of hospitals are operational, and less than half of primary health centers provide full services. Essential medicines remain in critically short supply, and many families find the costs of treatment prohibitive. Overcrowded shelters increase vulnerability, exacerbating the risk of disease outbreaks that could compound the existing health emergency.
Adding to these hazards, the remnants of war, including unexploded ordnance, pose a persistent and deadly threat to civilians. Since December 8, 2024, more than 1,000 casualties have been reported due to these dangers, with over 400 fatalities and nearly 600 injuries, a distressing statistic that highlights the vulnerability of children, who comprise over a third of the victims.
“The humanitarian community is calling for urgent support to expand risk education, professional clearance operations, and assistance for survivors,” stated UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a regular news briefing in New York. This appeal underscores the critical need for enhanced efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians amidst ongoing violence and instability.
Funding remains a significant obstacle in addressing this multifaceted crisis. The Syria Humanitarian Response Plan has set a target of $2 billion by the end of June to support eight million of the most vulnerable individuals. Yet, as of now, it has received just $236 million—less than 12% of the total required. This shortfall is exacerbating the dire circumstances faced by millions in Syria, illuminating the urgent need for increased international assistance and commitment.
Northern Mozambique has been mired in what has been described as a “triple crisis” – violence and insecurity, climate shocks, and post-electoral unrest. (file photo)
Children Targeted by Armed Groups in Northern Mozambique
Moving to another crisis zone, Mozambique is grappling with its own formidable challenges, particularly affecting children. Over 1.3 million people have been displaced due to escalating violence, extreme weather events, and political instability. Currently, 5.2 million individuals require urgent humanitarian assistance, reflecting the grave humanitarian predicament.
Cabo Delgado province has become a focal point for these crises, witnessing a troubling rise in reports of child abductions, forced recruitment, and other violent acts committed by non-state armed groups. According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), several incidents highlight the threats children face, including the tragic deaths of three young girls aged 12, 14, and 17 during attacks last month, alongside the abduction of eight other children. UNICEF expressed deep concern over these gross violations of children’s rights, reiterating that every child deserves a life free from violence and fear.
In response, UNICEF is actively working with partner agencies to support affected children and their families. Their initiatives aim to facilitate the safe return and reintegration of children abducted by armed groups and to provide crucial access to health services, protection, and education, highlighting the international community’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights amid escalating violence.
UN Rights Chief Calls for Bold Climate Action Grounded in Human Rights
On a broader scale, the UN’s top rights official, Volker Türk, has issued a clarion call for urgent, rights-based solutions to the intersecting crises of climate change and global inequality. Addressing an audience at Oxford University, he emphasized that the health of the planet is inseparable from humanity’s survival, urging for transformative change in how governments and institutions approach the climate crisis.
Critiquing the false sense of separation from nature that many exhibit, Mr. Türk noted that a small fraction of the world’s population is responsible for a disproportionate amount of carbon emissions. He underscored that those least responsible for environmental degradation often bear its brunt, making a compelling case for nations to align efforts with human rights imperatives.
He raised concerns regarding the inadequacy of climate finance and advocated for reforms to international financial systems. Additionally, he noted growing support for a proposed fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty aimed at halting the expansion of new oil, coal, and gas projects. “Our rights call for all people, now and in the future, to live in safety, security, and opportunity, on a healthy planet,” Mr. Türk asserted.
In closing, his address was not just a call for awareness but a passionate plea for collective action. He urged individuals, governments, and institutions to unite under a global movement grounded in human rights to address climate change and strive for a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
