UN Concerned Over Displacement of Nearly 700,000 Syrians

Panos Moumtzis, the UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, expressed concern in a statement on Tuesday, about the fact that up to 700,000 Syrians have been displaced due to violence in the Middle Eastern country since the beginning of 2018.

"I am deeply concerned about the continuing massive displacement of close to 700,000 Syrians since the beginning of the year due to ongoing hostilities in the country. The latest displacement comes on top of already 6.5 million internally displaced Syrians and over 5.5 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries," the statement read.

As a result of the military conflict in Syria, over a half of the country’s population has been displaced, the document continued. These individuals are are currently in need of assistance and protection, the statement noted.

Moumtzis also expressed concern over continuing violence in the Middle Eastern country, particularly, the reported chemical attack in the city of Douma.

The UN official called for protection of civilians in Syria, and ensuring access of humanitarian organizations, operating in the country, to those in need.

The civil war in Syria, ongoing since 2011, has has resulted in an acute humanitarian crisis in the Middle Eastern country. According to statistics of the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, there are 13.1 million people in need in Syria, while 2.98 million people are currently in hard-to-reach and besieged areas.