As people return, they confront severe destruction, highlighting the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance and investment in recovery. Photo: OCHA/Ali Haj SuleimanBriefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief CoordinatorNew York, 18 September 2025As deliveredThank you, Mr. President. In advance, I propose to take a step back and reflect on where we are on humanitarian effort, what actions the UN and its humanitarian partners have been taking, and what we need from you to do more. This time next year, I want to report that we are substantially scaling down our emergency humanitarian operations in Syria. Translate pledges into concrete investment and expand support for large-scale recovery, reconstruction and development programmes, creating livelihoods, rebuilding homes and restoring essential services.