UN Comments on Humanitarian Situation in Kobani

ANHA

Displaced people in Kobani.

The United Nations commented on the humanitarian situation in Kobani, western Kurdistan or Rojava (North and East Syria), where a 22-day siege by factions of the Syrian Interim Government has left hundreds of thousands of residents and displaced people facing severe shortages of food, medicine and essential services, even as limited aid convoys attempt to reach the city.

The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, provided an overview of the latest developments in Syria and commented on the worsening humanitarian situation in Kobani.

Dujarric stated during a press briefing: "Our colleagues on the ground tell us that fighting has subsided in Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh and Raqqa following the agreement announced on 30 January.  As of 3 February, nearly 160,000 people are still displaced."

"While there has been some improvement in humanitarian access, there are still major challenges.  Electricity outages continue to disrupt water systems, telecommunications are intermittent, food supply chains are constrained, and schools are still suspended in many areas," he said.

He also noted: "between 25 January and 5 February, our partners facilitated ten inter-agency convoys to Qamishli and Ain al-Arab/Kobani, where made up of 154 trucks of life-saving assistance."

"In total, our partners have reached more than 190,000 people across 83 communities with food, medicine, winter supplies and other essential support," he added.

The siege imposed on the city of Kobani by factions of the Syrian Interim Government has entered its 22nd day, further deepening the humanitarian and living crisis faced by residents.

Despite ongoing meetings between delegations from the Kobani administration and representatives of the Interim Government, held within the framework of the agreement reached on 29 January, no breakthrough has yet been achieved to end the siege.

The continued blockade has severely deteriorated conditions in the city, with residents reporting an almost complete shortage of medicines and infant formula, alongside acute scarcities of food and other basic necessities.

Meanwhile, the Kobani Electricity Authority announced that it had repaired power cables damaged during attacks on Monday, enabling electricity to be restored to the city.

Kobani is currently hosting more than 200,000 displaced people across approximately 70 shelters and centres. In total, the siege has affected the lives of nearly 600,000 civilians and displaced persons who sought refuge in the city after their home areas came under attack in recent months.

Despite the ongoing pressure, the people of Kobani continue to resist the siege, emphasising that steadfastness and resistance remain essential to safeguarding the gains achieved by the population.



PUKMEDIA