Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Assistant Secretary-General Indrika Ratwatte, representing UN relief chief Tom Fletcher, addressed the UN Security Council, stating there is a genuine opportunity for Syrians to move from survival toward recovery. However, humanitarian needs remain acute, displacement continues, and conditions for sustainable returns differ across the country.
Since December 2024, approximately 1.6 million refugees and nearly two million internally displaced people have returned to their communities. The UN emphasized that returns should be safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable, with access to essential services and livelihoods critical during reintegration.
Current aid operations serve 3,000 communities and reach about three million people in the first quarter of the year. Despite this, funding for the $2.92 billion humanitarian appeal stands at only 20% of the target, underscoring significant resource gaps.
Meetings between the Syrian government and UN partners have outlined the 'No Camps, No Tents' vision, focusing on protection, service provision, and sustainable livelihoods. This strategy aligns with Syria's national recovery priorities to guide reintegration and reconstruction efforts.
Ratwatte appealed to the Security Council to ensure sustained humanitarian responses through predictable and flexible funding, support the transition beyond emergency aid by addressing barriers to rebuilding, and commit to investing in recovery consistent with the government’s framework. Such efforts are seen as essential to support stability and prosperity in Syria.
The situation is described as one where opportunity and fragility coexist, marking a critical phase in Syria’s political transition, according to the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Claudio Cordone.