UN Humanitarian chief horrified by conflict

(17 Aug 2015) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY Damascus - 17 August 2015 1. Various of Stephen O'Brien and his team members from UN Humanitarian agency ahead of news conference 2. Cutaway of media 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen O'Brien, UN Humanitarian chief and emergency relief coordinator: "In Homs, I saw with my own eyes inestimable human suffering. In the Old City, I saw that almost every home had been completely destroyed. Behind the broken windows of each destroyed home, I was sharply conscious that there had been people whose lives have also been shattered. I sat with Ahmad, who told me his harrowing story amid all this violence and destruction. Above all, he said he wanted peace in his country." 4. Cutaway 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen O'Brien, UN Humanitarian chief and emergency relief coordinator: "Last week, we heard of shelling of Damascus by armed groups. While I have been here, we have heard appalling reports of new airstrikes on the besieged area of Douma. Yesterday's airstrikes on the central market area caused scores of civilian deaths and hundreds of people were injured. Hospitals are scrambling to treat them. I am absolutely horrified by the total disregard for civilian life by all parties in this conflict. Attacks on civilians are unlawful, unacceptable and must stop. I appeal to every party engaged in violence and fighting to protect civilians and to respect international humanitarian law." 6. Cutaway 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen O'Brien, UN Humanitarian chief and emergency relief coordinator: "It is unacceptable for those engaged in conflict to use access to water and other services as a weapon of war." 8. Cutaway 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen O'Brien, UN Humanitarian chief and emergency relief coordinator: "The United Nations and our partners are providing assistance to millions of Syrians in need, including by crossing conflict lines and international borders. And we are ready to help many more. I also expressed my deep concern for the welfare of the 4.6 million people stuck in hard-to reach and besieged areas. Freedom of movement of and for all people trying to flee the violence and conflict must be ensured by all parties." 10. Cutaway of cameras 11. End of news conference 12. O'Brien and his companions leaving STORYLINE: The United Nations humanitarian chief said on Monday he is "horrified" by the attacks on civilians that are taking place in Syria, calling on all parties involved in the conflict "to protect civilians and to respect international humanitarian law." Stephen O'Brien told reporters that "attacks on civilians are unlawful, unacceptable and must stop." O'Brien spoke in Damascus on Monday at the end of a three-day visit to Syria, during which he met senior officials and visited the central province of Homs. =========================================================== Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: [email protected] (ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...