The United Nations defended its humanitarian work in Syria on Monday, saying it deals with all parties in a "neutral and transparent manner" and offers assistance to all those affected by the conflict.
Radhouane Nouicer, the regional coordinator for the U.N.'S OCHA humanitarian affairs office, said the organization was working under tough conditions and repeated a call for additional funding.
But he brushed off allegations that the body has delivered little aid to rebel-held areas, focusing its work in regions still under regime control.
"We are in contact with all the parties, without distinction, because the goal is to provide aid to every Syrian and every Syrian family that in is need," he told a press conference in Damascus.
Nouicer stressed that "humanitarian aid has reached all of the conflict zones," but noted that "multiple obstacles impede the work of humanitarian organizations... particularly the dangerous security situation, which prevent us from moving freely and safely."
Nouicer also repeated a U.N. call for additional funding for its work in Syria, saying the international community should "pay more attention to the painful humanitarian situation and deliver the necessary funds."
He said just over 20 percent of the $519 million dollars the U.N. was seeking to fund its work had been pledged so far.
"It is difficult to apply an assistance program with this modest sum," he said, warning "the resources are minimal and the needs are enormous."
"The international community accords more importance to the political and military side than to resources intended for humanitarian aid," he added.
The Syrian civil war, now in its third year, has created a major humanitarian crisis, with over one million Syrians seeking refuge in neighboring countries and some four million internally displaced by the conflict.
19 Mar, 2013
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Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2013/03/18/U-N-defends-aid-work-in-Syria-.html
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