WHO conducts first cross-border mission to train paramedics in Northern Aleppo amid crisis

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its first cross-border mission of 2025, successfully training paramedics in trauma care in Azaz, Northern Aleppo. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address critical health challenges in the region, where severe shortages of fuel, electricity, and water are impacting healthcare facilities. The Menbij National Hospital, which serves around 100,000 people, has been relying solely on generators for power, highlighting the urgent need for resources.

In addition to health concerns, the humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, with over 620,000 individuals newly displaced and ongoing violence exacerbating the crisis. Reports indicate a significant increase in landmine incidents, with 13 civilians killed and many injured in just a few days. The WHO noted a staggering 300% rise in such incidents in December compared to November.

On the political front, UN Special Envoy Gerrit Pedersen is actively engaging with key stakeholders and is set to brief the Security Council from Geneva. His deputy, Najat Roshdi, is currently in Damascus to discuss the situation with local officials.

In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis is deepening, with reports of preventable child deaths due to hypothermia. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed grave concerns over the ongoing hostilities, which have resulted in widespread destruction and displacement. Access to essential medical facilities, such as the Kamal Adwan Hospital, remains severely restricted, and humanitarian missions are frequently denied entry to besieged areas.

The World Food Programme (WFP) condemned an incident where a convoy was shot at by Israeli forces, emphasizing the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safe passage of aid. With only 50,000 liters of fuel remaining for humanitarian operations in Gaza, the situation is critical, and immediate action is required to facilitate the flow of aid and restore public order.

As the international community continues to monitor these developments, the urgency for effective humanitarian assistance and political resolution in both Syria and Gaza cannot be overstated.

Converted from Syria, Palestine & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (6 January 2025) | United Nations meeting on January 06, 2025
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