Humanitarian needs in Syria remain huge and immediate after the overthrow of the Assad regime, said Christina Bethke, a WHO representative. Speaking to media from Damascus, Bethke said she had seen the resilience and hope of the Syrian people, reiterating that WHO was still helping them with health services and aid. And the country is undergoing a massive displacement crisis, with more than half of its hospitals not functioning and the health infrastructure under stress, she said.
Christina Bethke, the Deputy Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Syria, stated that the humanitarian needs in Syria are great and urgent, even in the historical process following the overthrow of the Assad regime.
Participating online in the weekly press conference of the United Nations (UN) Geneva Office, Bethke emphasized that the resilience and hope of the Syrian people were clearly visible in his assessments in Damascus.
“Over the last 12 days, I have witnessed the coming together of the Syrian people and their joy of return. I have also seen their anxiety about the uncertainty of what will happen in the future,” Bethke said.
Noting that WHO is providing determined support to the difficulties in Syria and continues to deliver life-saving aid and health services, Bethke said that they are working to help Syrians rebuild their lives and overcome the crisis.
Bethke pointed out that WHO continues to support Syria steadfastly amid these challenges, adding that in addition to delivering life-saving aid and much-needed health services, they are helping Syrians rebuild their lives and overcome the crisis that has been going on for years.
Bethke explained that WHO teams were in Idlib yesterday: “The teams visited hospitals that have become lifelines during the recent escalation of conflict. They met with the dedicated surgeons who work tirelessly, often under attack, to save lives. One surgeon shared with us the words of a patient who walked through the door: ‘We can finally sleep at night, no more worrying about being bombed.’ Even at this historic moment, the humanitarian needs remain immense and urgent.”
Stating that Syria is struggling with one of the world’s largest displacement crises, Bethke noted that the country’s health infrastructure is seriously strained and more than half of the hospitals are dysfunctional.
