Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Palestinian shot and killed by IOF east of Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Occupation forces opened machine gun fire toward outskirts of Aitaroun as locals headed for olive harvest.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone drops bomb at outskirts of town of Blida as people head for olive harvest.
Israeli media: Rafah crossing was not opened as planned, and no date has yet been set for the resumption of movement through it.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: There will be no change in diplomatic relations with Israel until it complies with the agreements.
Maduro: We say to the people of the United States that we do not want war in the Caribbean or in South America.
Maduro: The sadists in America believe they can issue orders for the world to follow, that they rule while others must adapt. But the first to know this is false are the American people themselves.
Caracas: US maneuvers seek to legitimize regime change and seizure of Venezuelan oil resources.
Caracas: The announced US military deployment in the Caribbean region constitutes a policy of aggression and a threat against Venezuela.
Venezuela: We reject Trump's statements allowing US intelligence agencies to operate in Venezuela.

UN Humanitarian Chief meets Al-Assad in Syria in earthquake aftermath

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Feb 2023 21:46
4 Min Read

Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator meets with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and will report to the UN soon after.

  • x
  • UN Humanitarian Chief meets Al-Assad in Syria in earthquake aftermath
    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths on February 13, 2023 (Syrian Presidency)

United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric announced that  Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad met with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths.

During a press brief on Monday, Dujarric said "Mr. Griffiths met with President Assad a short while ago. We are still waiting for a readout of that meeting."

President al-Assad emphasized to Griffiths "the need for urgent aid to enter all areas in Syria, including areas under occupation and under the control of armed terrorist groups."

The President also advised to "focus international efforts on helping to rebuild the infrastructure in Syria, because this is an urgent necessity for the stability of the Syrian people and the return of Syrian refugees to their cities and regions."

For his part, Griffiths referred during the meeting to the "rapid response of the Syrian government in rescue and relief work," and stressed that "the United Nations is working to support relief efforts and meet the humanitarian needs of the Syrians." 

Over the weekend Griffiths visited areas affected by the devastating earthquake that hit Syria and is expected to relay his impressions, to the UN, regarding the humanitarian situation in the country.

UN admits: 'We have failed the people in northwest Syria'

The UN announced on Sunday that the international community has so far abandoned Syrians as they struggle to secure basic needs and aid to respond to the devastating earthquake that struck the country on February 6.

UN's Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, said that although a convoy of supplies was delivered by the organization to northwest Syria through Turkey, the effort was not enough as millions more have been impacted by the catastrophe.

Related News

Syria not seeking IMF, World Bank loans: Interim finance minister

Sharaa hopes Russia will help rebuild army: Syrian source to Reuters

"We have so far failed the people in northwest Syria. They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn't arrived," Griffiths said on Twitter.

At the #Türkiye-#Syria border today.
We have so far failed the people in north-west Syria.
They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn’t arrived.
My duty and our obligation is to correct this failure as fast as we can.
That’s my focus now.

— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) February 12, 2023

"My duty and our obligation is to correct this failure as fast as we can. That’s my focus now," he added.

The recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have killed over 33,000 people and caused a severe humanitarian crisis in the latter, which is already dealing with the aftermath of a decade-long war.

Read more: Exclusive: Syrian government sending aid to armed-groups-held areas

Sanctions obstructing relief efforts in Syria

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week, on February 9, that sanctions on Syria should not be impeding relief efforts in the quake-struck country.

"This is a moment in which everybody has to make very clear that no sanctions of any kind interfere with relief to the population of Syria in the present moment," Guterres said at a briefing.

"People are facing nightmare on top of nightmare," Guterres added, noting that the lack of aid materials to assist with relief efforts was also a serious issue.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, also told reporters in Geneva on February 9 that "Emergency response must not be politicized," noting that aid is needed to get to state-controlled areas, as well as those controlled by militants.

The Security Council will likely meet in a few days to discuss the situation in Syria, while Guterres urged the council to allow the opening of new border access points between Turkey and Syria to transport aid into the northwestern part of the country.

Read more: GoFundMe refusing to fund Syria relief effort, funding White Helmets

  • Syria
  • UN
  • Martin Griffiths
  • Syria earthquake
  • Bashar al-Assad

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the media wait for Palestinian prisoners and injured at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Rafah crossing to reopen for travelers from Gaza: Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'Israel' may resume Gaza war if Hamas breaches ceasefire, Trump says

Mourners attend the funeral of slain captive Captain Daniel Peretz at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam Brigades hand over all living Israeli captives

Armored vehicles drive through a street during a government-organized march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US approves covert CIA action in Venezuela: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS