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Humanitarian conditions are \u201cextremely serious,\u201d UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi told the Security Council on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
There are over\u00a016 million people in need of aid with hundreds of thousands displaced, according to the UN humanitarian coordination office (OCHA).<\/p>\n
Ms. Rochdi began her briefing by welcoming the removal of UN sanctions against President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab but urged the repeal of further secondary sanctions against third parties doing business with Syria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are a key impediment to enabling reconstruction and reviving the devastated Syrian economy<\/strong>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She highlighted that Israeli military incursions into Syria continue, \u201cin grave violation of Syria\u2019s sovereignty and of international law<\/strong>,\u201d and pressed for adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, brokered by the UN, which created a buffer zone and separation line between Syrian and Israeli forces.<\/p>\n Ms. Rochdi noted that the first trial is underway following deadly attacks against the Alawite community in Latakia and Tartus in March, when over\u00a01,000 people were killed\u00a0in clashes, adding that the UN follows with \u201creal concern\u201d reports of abductions and enforced disappearances.<\/p>\n She appealed for transparency to ensure fair representation of all communities and women in the People\u2019s Assembly \u2013 a new transitional legislative body \u2013 where one-third of the 210 seats are awaiting appointment by the president.<\/p>\n The drafting of a permanent constitution is a \u201cfoundational task\u201d for the next stages of the political transition, she stressed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe act of defining a new social contract among Syrians must be a source of peace and unity<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking on behalf of relief chief Tom Fletcher, OCHA financing and outreach Director Lisa Doughten said the ceasefire in southern Syria is holding, although sporadic incidents are still reported.<\/p>\n Violent sectarian clashes broke out around Sweida between Druze militias and tribal fighters, reportedly driven by kidnappings and tit-for-tat attacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n Over 180,000 people remain displaced there and neighbouring governorates.<\/p>\n The UN continues to prioritise humanitarian response in those areas, working with national authorities and affected communities to\u00a0provide basic services.<\/p>\nNew social contract<\/strong><\/h2>\n
A \u2018path forward\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n