"UNRWA has attempted to send urgent medical supplies to Dera’a but this has not yet been possible," said Christopher Guinness. "UNRWA has expressed its concerns to the government of Syria and hopes the resumption of normal operations will be possible soon." The agency has 118 schools across Syria teaching 66,000 pupils; 23 primary health centres, six community rehabilitation centres and 15 women’s centres.
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos said: "I am concerned about the lack of humanitarian access to parts of Syria, including Dera’a, and cities on the coast including Latakia, Jablah, Baniyas, and Douma," in a statement. A proposed assessment mission to Dera’a scheduled for 8 May did not go ahead.
On 9 May, the EU imposed an embargo on arms and equipment that may be used for internal repression, an asset freeze and a travel ban targeting 13 individuals.
eo/mw
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions