EXCLUSIVE: UN denies they are allied with Assad

[Anthea]

The UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric spoke to Rudaw from New York and explained the UN strategy for refugees in Syria and Iraq, which he said is a priority for the organization, “UN in Syria focuses on one thing, which is helping the Syrian people through these devastating times.”

Dujarric said that the UN helps a high number of Syrian refugees regardless of their background or their political leanings.

“Only this year we could reach 5 million people, including 1 million in the hard to reach besieged areas,” he said. “As soon as the guns are silent we go in to help the people of Syria.”

The UN spokesperson denied they are allied with the Assad regime and said they are very open about whom they work with.

“We work with local partners that exist. We have to work with authorities as they are as the UN works this way. But we are very transparent how we work, where we work, whom we work with. No one can accuse us to be allied with the regime and whenever was necessary we have denounced the regime acts.”

On the expected influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Mosul, the UN is working with both the Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities, Dujarric confirmed, but noted that funding is still a concern.

“We are very concerned about the situation. We work with Iraqi government and authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan, to be prepared for a huge influx of refugees when the operation gets fully under way. The humanitarian response plans are underfunded. We beg the international community to give us the resources.”

http://rudaw.net/english/world/30082016