Ten years after its onset, the war in Syria has become one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 21st century. The human cost has been beyond measure. Disturbing moments are seared in our collective consciousness, ranging from shocking chemical weapons attacks to images of doctors working in bombed out hospitals, gross human rights violations and desperate civilians forced to flee their homes.
The sheer scale of the tragedy can overwhelm us. More than 13 million people are still in need of humanitarian assistance. Sixty per cent of the population are struggling to get enough food to eat, according to World Food Programme. More than 5 million Syrians are refugees and over 6 million are internally displaced. An entire generation is growing up with no or limited access to education, and has known only conflict. Human suffering will continue to traumatise new generations of Syrians unless the conflict is brought to an end.
The unresolved conflict continues to lead to immense suffering and increasing humanitarian needs. Even if it is in a less-intense phase than before and the situation on the ground is less unstable than it was, it still hinders development and the return of refugees. Syria, meanwhile, is still fertile ground for terrorist groups, such as ISIS.
As members of the UN Security Council and as facilitators for its work on the humanitarian situation in Syria, Norway and Ireland will continue to champion the people of Syria.
They must receive the support necessary to survive and rebuild their lives. The respective responses of Norway and Ireland to the Syrian conflict has been our largest ever to a single crisis. We will once again pledge our support at the upcoming "Brussels V" conference later this month.
Financial support on its own is not enough. We must also provide humanitarian workers with the safe, secure and unimpeded access they need to reach all the people in need. Hundreds of aid workers have been killed in the course of the conflict. Too often, efforts by aid workers to reach those in need have been frustrated by administrative impediments, or the calculus of geopolitical considerations.
We will continue to advocate tirelessly in the Security Council for humanitarian actors to be given full and unimpeded access to all the people in need in all parts of Syria.
While continued provision of humanitarian assistance and access is vital, only an end to conflict and an inclusive political settlement can bring stability to Syria and end the suffering. There is no military solution to the Syrian conflict. Security Council Resolution 2254 on a political settlement in Syria provides the framework for a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process, facilitated by UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and supported broadly by the international community, including with strong support from Norway and Ireland. The inclusion of women and civil society in the peace process is crucial for the best result for the whole population.
To date, we have seen little progress in the efforts to reach a political settlement. We need joint and intensified efforts to implement UN resolutions, first and foremost from the government in Syria and all the Syrian parties, but also from the international community and the countries involved in the country's affairs. The people of Syria deserve nothing less. The region needs it, too.
As we face a second decade of instability, conflict and human suffering, we reiterate our appeal for a lasting, nationwide ceasefire and serious engagement in the political process in Syria, in the spirit of compromise and constructive engagement. Humanitarian aid must reach all the people in need. For the sake of this and future generations of Syrians, we call for an end to this catastrophe, and for everyone to work towards peace.
Simon Coveney is Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide is Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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