Voice of America
31 Mar 2020, 04:05 GMT+10
NEW YORK - The United Nation's top envoy for Syria warned Monday that the coronavirus could be a new "calamity" for the war-torn country and that a nationwide cease-fire must be implemented immediately.
"COVID-19 is an enormous threat to Syrians, and it demands a complete shift in mindset from all now," Special Envoy Geir Pedersen told the U.N. Security Council in a virtual meeting. "This common threat must now focus all with new consciousness and new determination on a common agenda to save the Syrian people from a new calamity."
Syria has officially confirmed 10 cases of the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus and one death. There is no data available on how widely or whether the government is testing people.
"This virus does not care if you live in government-controlled areas or outside," Pedersen said. "It does not discriminate. It endangers all Syrians."
Syria entered its 10th year of war this month.
The envoy said there is a high risk that authorities will be unable to contain the pandemic, due to high levels of population movements and overcrowding in displaced persons camps and detention facilities. There is also a severe shortage of health professionals and the necessary medical equipment and supplies, such as ventilators and protective masks.
U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock told council members that given the virus's trajectory in other countries, Syria's 10 reported cases are only "the tip of the iceberg."
"The virus has the potential to have a devastating impact on vulnerable communities across the country," Lowcock warned. "Syria's health services are extremely fragile. Only around half of its hospitals and primary health care centers were fully functional at the end of last year."
He reiterated a call last week by the secretary-general for countries to waive sanctions that can impede the response to the pandemic.
Further compounding any virus response was the closure in January of a border crossing from Iraq into northeastern Syria that was used to bring in medical supplies. The U.N. Security Council was forced by Russia and China to end its authorization of Al Yarubiya crossing, because the Damascus government did not want aid to reach rebels in the area.
"Many medical facilities and individuals in northeast Syria who depended on medical supplies via Al Yarubiya have not received these supplies through alternative channels," Lowcock said.
Get a daily dose of Irish Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Irish Sun.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: The University of Michigan, known for its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, announced this week that...
AUSTIN, Texas: A federal judge criticized Texas for keeping prisoners in hot prisons without air conditioning but did not order an...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration has ordered two intelligence agencies to use their spy satellites to monitor the U.S.-Mexico...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a significant restructuring of federal...
ANDONG, South Korea: Wildfires in South Korea have doubled in size in just one day, making them the country's worst fire disaster....
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Boeing is now heading to trial this summer, after a U.S. judge unexpectedly set a date in the criminal fraud case...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland's auto industry shifted into higher gear in March, with a sharp jump of 18.5 percent in new car registrations...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Apple's Irish headquarters shouldered a massive 23.2 billion euro corporation tax charge last year, largely due to...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Finance Ireland has secured more than 700 million euros in funding to ramp up lending for cars and commercial property,...
BRUSSELS, Belgium: Apple appears to have dodged a major regulatory setback in Europe, following recent changes to how users select...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland will double its community funding for local projects in Lebanon, Tanaiste Simon Harris announced this week...
Existing sanctions have significantly reduced trade with Moscow, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Russia was excluded...