Syrian civilians still have a strong need for support from the international community, including protection from gender-based violence and other safety challenges, Panos Moumtzis, UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, said on Wednesday.

He was speaking on the eve of a UN-backed conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region, at which existing and potential donors will be asked to fund an $8.8 billion plan to cover the needs of Syrians affected by the conflict, as well as communities hosting them.

When Yasmina Guerda from UN News spoke to Mr. Moumtzis, she started by asking him why, now that fighting is subsiding, does the UN still considers Syria to be in a crisis?