UN Delegation Evaluates Humanitarian Conditions in Idlib’s Maarat Hurmah
A senior delegation from the United Nations, led by Indrika Ratwatte, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, conducted a field visit on Tuesday to the town of Maarat Hurmah in the southern countryside of Idlib. The visit aimed to gain a first-hand assessment of the humanitarian and service-related realities facing the local population, as well as to coordinate with Syrian government entities on strategies for infrastructure rehabilitation.
During the visit, the UN delegation, which included the UN Resident Coordinator in Syria, Natalie Fustier, and the Regional Director for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for the Middle East and North Africa, Michel Saad, met with local officials and residents. These discussions focused on identifying the most pressing humanitarian challenges and exploring effective avenues for immediate and long-term support. The delegation was accompanied by Muhammad Bateesh, head of the international cooperation department at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.
Ratwatte highlighted that his visit to Maarat Hurmah is part of a broader mission across Syria, including stops in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Aleppo. He emphasized the necessity of observing how the UN and its partners deliver aid in coordination with the Syrian government to support the population. During his assessment, Ratwatte pointed to the significant challenges posed by extensive damage in the region. He specifically highlighted the risks associated with landmines, which continue to affect thousands of people annually, and discussed the need to prioritize support in the health, education, and agricultural sectors. He underscored the importance of international support in mobilizing resources and engaging with the Syrian government to facilitate the rehabilitation and recovery of the region’s critical infrastructure.
Local officials provided further context regarding the severe conditions in the town. Abdul Qadir Al-Yousef, Director of International Cooperation for Idlib Governorate, noted that Maarat Hurmah was selected for the visit due to the immense scale of destruction it has sustained, with infrastructure damage estimated at over 95 percent. Al-Yousef explained that as more residents return to the area, the town is struggling with significant shortages in basic infrastructure. He expressed hope that the UN mission would lead to increased support for the region, thereby facilitating the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced families.
Qassoum Hajj Mustafa, head of the local town council, reported that the town, which has a population exceeding 25,000, remains largely destroyed. He stated that the dialogue with the UN delegation provided a platform to present the urgent needs of the inhabitants and to advocate for intensified cooperation to alleviate their daily hardships. Residents reiterated these concerns, describing the visit as a vital opportunity to convey their suffering and immediate requirements directly to high-level UN officials. This field mission is part of an ongoing series of visits by UN representatives to various Syrian governorates to review humanitarian projects, determine work priorities, and bolster efforts toward early recovery.
