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UN relief chief calls on parties to "restore basic humanity" in Syria

Xinhua, November 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Stephen O'Brien, on Tuesday said that he is extremely concerned about the fate of civilians as a result of the deeply alarming and chilling situation unfolding in Aleppo city, calling on the warring parties to "restore basic humanity."

O'Brien, who is also the UN emergency relief coordinator, said that the intensity of attacks on eastern Aleppo neighbourhoods over the past few days has forced thousands of civilians to flee to other parts of the besieged Syrian city.

The latest reports indicated that more than 20,000 people have been displaced, many into uncertain and precarious situations. It is likely that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should fighting continue to spread and intensify over the coming days.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent and local non-governmental organization (NGO) partners have initiated a response to those displaced. The UN is also present on the ground with prepositioned supplies to complement the on-going response and ready to provide immediate assistance and medical evacuations for civilians inside eastern Aleppo.

Meanwhile, O'Brien asked all parties to the conflict to "restore basic humanity" in Syria, and he called on them to lift sieges, ensure that they do not target civilians and civilian infrastructure, and that they allow humanitarian organizations safe and unimpeded access to bring life-saving help to those displaced or under siege.

Also on Tuesday, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) called on all parties to the conflict to adhere to and respect international humanitarian law, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

"Pro-government and Kurdish forces must ensure that civilians fleeing the fighting are afforded every protection and are not subjected to acts of retribution due to their perceived support or affiliation to opposition groups," Dujarric said, adding that UNOHCHR called on armed opposition groups to adhere to their obligation to allow civilians who wish to flee areas under their control to do so.

On Monday, inter-agency convoys delivered humanitarian assistance for 60,000 people in the besieged towns of Madaya, Zabadani, Foah and Kafraya, the spokesman noted. "UN, Red Cross and Syrian Arab Red Crescent teams crossed the conflict lines with food, nutrition and health supplies for people in the besieged towns who were last reached on 25 September 2016."

"The UN continues to call for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to all in need in Syria particularly those in hard-to-reaches and besieged areas," Dujarric added. Enditem