Joint statement on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day

19 August 2021 – On this day, World Humanitarian Day, we stand together to pay tribute to humanitarians in Syria and worldwide. Every year, we take this critical moment to extend our deepest condolences to all those who have paid the ultimate price. We also express our immense gratitude to all those humanitarians working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of Syrians – saving lives and preserving the dignity of those in need of a helping hand.  We continue to see crisis upon crisis in Syria, with ongoing hostilities, economic deterioration and growing inequalities, and an unrelenting pandemic. We also see the growing impacts of climate change in Syria, with evidence to be found in the increasing and ever more severe droughts, forest fires and floods and the associated consequences. So, in line with the global thematic focus of World Humanitarian Day this year, we also pause to reflect on climate change as a local and global crisis.  Climate change has and will continue to come with an immediate and tragic human cost. We see this tragedy being played out in Syria as people, including the vulnerable living in fragile circumstances, and especially women, contend with direct and indirect implications of the changing climate. This can be seen in the lack of water, food, electricity and livelihoods opportunities for millions and the resurgence of diseases, due to the ongoing drought. We all Read more...
Source: WHO EMRO News - Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news