Damascus-SANA
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Faisal Al-Miqdad, discussed today with Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the accompanying delegation, the existing cooperation between Syria and the organization in various fields, especially with regard to responding to the repercussions of the earthquake, providing support and implementing projects that concern children and alleviate the effects of the disaster for them.
Al-Miqdad stressed the importance Syria attaches to children and their natural rights to access care, education, health and clean water, pointing to the negative effects of the terrorist war and coercive Western economic measures on the possibility of providing what is needed for Syrians in general, and children in particular.
Al-Miqdad pointed out that the earthquake came after years of suffering from the effects of the war and unilateral measures to impose a new reality and put the Syrians in front of major challenges, explaining that the government quickly launched an emergency response plan and measures at the national level to deal with the repercussions of the disaster, stressing the importance of supporting international organizations, including UNICEF. For these actions to improve reality and alleviate suffering in a sustainable manner.
In turn, Russell presented some of the results of her visit to Aleppo and explained the priorities that the organization seeks to focus on, whether in its work in various fields or in the field of child care in particular, including helping children obtain education, water and health and reducing their vulnerability to the results of Corona, conflicts, wars and disasters.
In this regard, the UNICEF Executive Director referred to the additional effects of natural disasters in a number of regions, most notably the earthquake in Syria, on various aspects of children's lives, and the important role of UNICEF in reducing the effects of these disasters and providing the necessary support for children to restore their normal lives, expressing her thanks for the support it provides. The Syrian government for UNICEF work in Syria.
The two sides agreed to continue communication and coordination between the Syrian national authorities and the UNICEF country office to ensure optimal implementation of joint projects, which fall within the framework of reducing the suffering of children and improving the humanitarian situation of Syrians.
The meeting was attended by the Director of International Organizations and Conferences Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Qusay Al-Dahhak, and on the part of the organization, Adele Khader, UNICEF Regional Director, and a number of directors and employees.
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