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15-06-2012

Syria: needs increase as situation deteriorates

Operational Update No 05/12

Since early May, the situation has been deteriorating in several parts of Syria. Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups continues in Idlib, Rural Idlib, Rural Damascus, Hama, Lattakia and, to a lesser extent, in Rural Aleppo, Dar'a and Deir Ezzor. Civilians continue to flee and needs are increasing.

There have been dozens of casualties in Houla, al-Qubeir and al-Hiffa, and people have been losing their lives on a daily basis in other areas affected by the fighting. "I now have nothing but the clothes on my back," said Um Mahmoud, a 52-year-old widow who fled Mazra'at al-Qubeir, in Hama governorate, alone. "I myself don't have anyone to worry about, but I cannot help but put myself in the place of my neighbours who left their relatives behind," she added. Thousands have fled their homes since May, and many more continue to flee in search of safety – which may sometimes be a mere kilometre away from their neighbourhoods.

"More and more people are in need of help," said Alexandre Equey, the deputy head of the ICRC delegation in Syria. "In some areas, people are unable to get out, and help cannot get in. Together with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, we have managed to help thousands of people. But we have to go back and help the same people again, at the same time that we are attempting to help the newly displaced."

Only last week, the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent had several teams in Aleppo, in Idlib city and rural areas of Idlib governorate, and in al-Nabak, 80 kilometres north-east of Damascus. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent continues to address needs in several governorates simultaneously, while the ICRC continues to pre-position food, mattresses, blankets and medical and other items in Syrian Arab Red Crescent branches all over the country. This set-up helps the organizations respond to urgent needs promptly, which it is especially important to do in view of the increasing violence.

"Although we have already helped thousands and are maintaining our efforts, we will not be able to be everywhere at the same time," said Mr Equey. "What is clear is that, first and foremost, people need to feel safe and to know that they will get the care they need."

The ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are carrying on with their efforts to help the tens of thousands of people in fighting-stricken areas in the shortest possible time.

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