DAMASCUS, 30 November 2018

The United Nations (UN) in Syria strongly condemns yesterday’s attack on a joint humanitarian mission in northeast Syria in the eastern line of Deir-ez-Zor, namely the Shihiel-Busayrah sub-district. A Syrian driver from a local non-governmental organization (NGO) was injured in the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment. The UN in Syria wishes him a full and speedy recovery and stands in full solidarity with all humanitarian partners operating in area under highly difficult circumstances.

The mission had intended to carry out an assessment in advance of a UN inter-agency distribution of life-saving assistance to thousands of internally displaced people in the governorate. They face a dire humanitarian situation due to the escalation of fighting in the ISIL-controlled Hajin since September 2018. Many civilians are reported to have been killed or injured during the fighting, and thousands are unable to access basic assistance and face severe protection risks.

Attacks on humanitarian aid workers are a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law and severely impact the humanitarian community's ability to provide life-saving assistance and services to people in desperate need, including women, children and elderly people who are increasingly vulnerable as hostilities continue.

The UN calls for all parties to the conflict to uphold their responsibilities under International Humanitarian and International Human Rights Law to take all measures to protect civilians, including aid workers -- such attacks are completely unacceptable.

For more information, please contact Damascus, office of the RC/HC:

Fadwa AbedRabou Baroud, Fadwa.baroud@one.un.org, +963 996 666 134

Dr. Khaled Al Masri, khalid.al-masri@one.un.org, +963 991 206 555