UN Aid Official Says Syria 'Humanitarian Catastrophe'
A senior United Nations official says the situation in war-shattered Syria is a "humanitarian catastrophe," with some 6.8 million people needing aid.
UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos told the Security Council that more than 4 million of Syria's 22 million people had been displaced inside the country because of the two-year-old conflict, while 1.3 million Syrians had fled to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
She said ordinary people and children are suffering the most.
The Security Council responded on April 18 by approving a nonbinding statement demanding an end to violence and calling on all sides in the conflict to permit aid agencies to operate within Syria.
Russia and China have blocked Security Council moves for stronger international action on the conflict.
UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos told the Security Council that more than 4 million of Syria's 22 million people had been displaced inside the country because of the two-year-old conflict, while 1.3 million Syrians had fled to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
She said ordinary people and children are suffering the most.
The Security Council responded on April 18 by approving a nonbinding statement demanding an end to violence and calling on all sides in the conflict to permit aid agencies to operate within Syria.
Russia and China have blocked Security Council moves for stronger international action on the conflict.
