UN official warns of deep family separations in Syria, urges inclusive future
A senior UN humanitarian official stated that hundreds of thousands of Syrians remain separated from their families and called for an inclusive approach to guide the country's post-conflict transition.
A senior United Nations humanitarian official has highlighted the enduring human cost of Syria's conflict, warning that hundreds of thousands of Syrians remain separated from their families more than a decade after the war began. Tareq Talahma, acting director for operations and advocacy at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), made the remarks during a panel discussion at the 23rd Doha Forum in Qatar, stressing that inclusivity must be a cornerstone of Syria's next phase.
Critique of Past Approaches and Call for Dignity
Talahma critiqued the approach of the former Syrian leadership, suggesting it operated on a belief that providing basic sustenance could substitute for political and civil rights, which ultimately drove people to demand dignity and freedom. He emphasized that Syrians have paid a heavy price and continue to strive for their goals despite profound personal losses and family separations caused by displacement, detention, and death.
Criticism of International Community's Role
The UN official also took aim at parts of the international community for what he described as a "top-down, dismissive approach" to the Syrian crisis, where external actors attempt to dictate solutions without sufficient local engagement. He noted that international involvement has fluctuated significantly over the past 14 years, contributing to a fragmented and often ineffective response. However, he also pointed to a positive trend, stating that around 3 million refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to Syria in recent years.
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A Path Forward Based on Inclusion
Talahma's comments underscore a pressing need for a coherent, Syrian-led political process that prioritizes the reunification of families, accountability, and broad-based participation. As Syria enters a new, uncertain chapter following the fall of the Assad regime, the UN's message highlights that sustainable recovery depends not only on reconstruction but on healing the profound social fractures and addressing the legacy of mass displacement that continues to affect millions.
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