Remembering the victims of Syria's brutal war

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On the sixth anniversary of Syria’s conflict, we must remember those who are suffering most from this calamity – the 4.9 million refugees, the 6.3 million people displaced internally and the millions more inside Syria living in daily fear of this war and the inhumanity it has created.

Syria is at a crossroads. Unless drastic measures are taken to shore up peace and security, the situation will worsen.

Syria’s trauma goes beyond its borders. The outflow of people and the seemingly unstoppable conflict have contributed to the climate of anxiety we see today in many countries. As I have said before, if you don’t solve problems, the problems come to you.

I saw for myself on a recent visit to Syria how this war is affecting people, children especially. Today, even basic infrastructure is in ruins. Healthcare, schools, water and power supplies are unreliable or being controlled by warring parties for their own ends.

All this matters, because children make up half the population – of whom a third were born since the conflict began. Syria’s war has lasted longer than World War Two in Europe. This is unconscionable. Syria’s children, whether at home or in refugee communities elsewhere, are its future. One of its few sources of hope.

UNHCR supports Syrian refugees and those hosting them. We must also plan for a tomorrow when refugees might safely be able to return. The resolve of the international community to support the vast joint humanitarian and development effort that is needed must not waiver, now or then.