UN demands Syria allow urgent aid deliveries to 13.5 million

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution demanding that all combatants in Syria allow the urgent delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to more than 13.5 million people.

The resolution expresses “outrage” at the escalating violence in Syria and extends the authorization for cross-border aid deliveries without government approval until Jan. 10, 2017.

The council said it was “gravely distressed by the continued deterioration of the devastating humanitarian situation in Syria.”

Of the more than 13.6 million people in need of food and medical assistance, it said 6.5 million are internally displaced, 4.5 million including Palestinian refugees are living in hard-to-reach areas, and 393,700 are trapped in besieged areas.

The council also expressed grave concern that extremist groups are hindering aid deliveries.

source: AP