New York, Dec. 24 (SANA) The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Wednesday that humanitarian needs across Syria “remain severe,” with 16.5 million people, nearly two-thirds of the population, still requiring assistance.
The UN News website quoted OCHA as saying it continues, together with its partners, to coordinate with the Syrian government and monitor developments in Aleppo, noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) has sent emergency medical supplies to health authorities as part of the response to recent developments.
OCHA said coordination efforts are ongoing with relevant authorities while the situation in Aleppo continues to be closely monitored, where a ceasefire agreement was reached last night.
Last Monday, several neighborhoods in Aleppo were targeted with mortar shells, rocket launchers and heavy machine guns by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), killing four civilians and injuring 15 others, according to local authorities. Internal security forces evacuated civilians and worked to ensure their safety following the attacks.
OCHA said explosive ordnance contamination continues to pose a major threat to civilians across Syria. In November alone, 21 people were killed and more than 60 injured, half of them children, due to unexploded ordnance and remnants of war.
On the education front, the UN said 2.5 million children remain out of school, while 40 percent of schools are non-operational nationwide.
Despite limited humanitarian funding, the UN said it and its humanitarian partners reached more than 3 million people each month this year with humanitarian assistance.
