UN calls for total ceasefire in Syria

The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for an immediate ceasefire across the country to enable an “all-out-effort” to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Syria reported the first coronavirus infection on Monday.
“Syrians are acutely vulnerable to COVID-19. Healthcare facilities have been destroyed or are degraded. There is a shortage of key medical equipment and health professionals. To confront this danger, the long-suffering Syrian people desperately need a sustained period of calm throughout the country respected by all parties”, Pedersen said.
Earlier this month, Russia and Turkey, who have been supporting opposing sides in Syria’s war, agreed a fragile ceasefire in Idlib province, under which a “security corridor” was established along Idlib’s M4 highway. Both sides agreed to start joint patrols along the road from March 15.
The World Health Organization said that it is “extremely concerned about the impact COVID-19 may have in the northwest”. Observers fear the virus will spread in the overcrowded displacement camps in the northwest region.
Pedersen also called for releases of detainees and access for medical workers to detention facilities, to help ensure that medical care is provided to inmates. The International Rescue Committee has warned an outbreak of coronavirus in northern Syria could be one of the worst the world has seen.
On Monday, UN chief Antonio Guterres appealed for an immediate global ceasefire to protect civilians in conflict zones during the coronavirus pandemic.