The United Nations has reported that the recent escalation in fighting in Syria has displaced around 280,000 people within just over a week. This displacement occurred after Islamist militants, including the group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, launched a swift offensive in late November. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that if the situation continues, the number of displaced individuals could rise to 1.5 million in the coming months.
Samer AbdelJaber, head of emergency coordination at WFP, highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis, which comes on the heels of a fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in neighboring Lebanon. The WFP and other humanitarian organizations are working to provide assistance and secure safe routes for aid delivery. However, they face challenges due to the rapid pace of displacement, which has added to years of suffering in the region since the civil war began.
The UN also called for urgent funding to ensure that humanitarian efforts can meet the growing needs of displaced populations. As the crisis unfolds, the scale of the displacement and the demand for aid are expected to increase significantly.