GENEVA / WHO-SYRIA

The UN High Commission for Human Rights today expressed its concern about the human rights and humanitarian impact of a recent major offensive launched by the Syrian government to retake several opposition-controlled districts in Homs. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that while people’s need for emergency medical care and access to treatment of curable diseases continued to rise across Syria, increasing obstacles were being imposed on the delivery of lifesaving medical assistance. CH UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:19
• Production Date: 5 July 2013
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION - WHO; OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - OHCHR
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY; HEALTH; HUMAN RIGHTS
• Geographic Subject: SYRIA
• MAMS Id: U130705b

Description

STORY: GENEVA / WHO-SYRIA
TRT: 2.19
SOURCE: CH UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 5 JULY 2013, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Shotlist

FILE – RECENT, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, exterior Palais des Nations

5 JULY 2013, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2. Wide shot, press room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the OHCHR:
“Although the total number of casualties in this fighting remains unknown, the number of civilians currently trapped due the heavy fighting in and around Homs is believed to be between 2,500 and 4,000 people. Shortages of food, water, medicine, electricity and fuel in besieged areas are severely affecting the remaining civilians, including women and children.”
4. Med shot, table of journalists
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the OHCHR:
“According to information just received, the Al-Khaldiya neighbourhood has been experiencing heavy shelling since the early hours of this morning. These attacks in general are now really affecting really all of the old Homs district.”
6. Med shot, journalist
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Tarik Jasarevic, Spokesperson for the World Health Organization: “There is a rising number of cases of different diseases, there is an increase in needs, and at the same time there are increasing obstacles being put on delivery of life-saving medical assistance.”
8. Med shot, table of journalists
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Tarik Jasarevic, Spokesperson for the World Health Organization: “We are urging all parties to allow unconditional humanitarian access and delivery of medicines, vaccines and medical supplies to all Syrians in need of medical treatment without discrimination or geographical limitation.”
10. Wide shot, press room
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Tarik Jasarevic, Spokesperson for the World Health Organization: “As long as the general situation is worsening, as long as there is a lack of access to clean water, we are very afraid that the number of diseases can only rise. And if we are not able to provide medical assistance to a system that is already stretched with shortages of medicines, and not only medicines for injuries but also medicines for chronic diseases, with less health workers being able to reach an already decreased number of functional health facilities we really try to voice our call to everyone to let WHO, but also others, to come in and assist those in need.”
12. Wide shot, table of journalists

Storyline

The UN High Commission for Human Rights today (5 July) expressed concern about the human rights and humanitarian impact of a recent major offensive launched by the Syrian government to retake several opposition-controlled districts in Homs.

The Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rupert Colville, at a press briefing in Geneva said that “between 2,500 and 4,000” civilians are currently trapped due the heavy fighting in and around Homs.

Colville said that “according to information just received, the Al-Khaldiya neighbourhood has been experiencing heavy shelling since the early hours of this morning. These attacks in general are now really affecting all of old Homs district.”

Speaking at the same briefing Tarik Jaserevic, Spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO) said that whilst people’s need for emergency medical care and access to treatment of curable diseases continued to rise across Syria, increasing obstacles were being imposed on the delivery of lifesaving medical assistance.

Jaserevic said “there is a rising number of cases of different diseases, there is an increase in needs, and at the same time there are increasing obstacles being put on delivery of life saving medical assistance.”

He said the difficulties in access were due to the security situation but also due to complicated bureaucratic procedures such as in getting permits.

Jaserevic warned that “as long as the general situation is worsening, as long as there is a lack of access to clean water, we are very afraid that the number of diseases can only rise.”

According to the UN, more than 93,000 people have been killed since fighting began in March 2011 between the Syrian Government and opposition groups seeking to oust President Bashar Al-Assad.