The UN humanitarian chief has said an estimated 12.2 million Syrians need assistance because of increasing violence and deteriorating conditions in the country.
Valerie Amos said that's up from 10.8 million in July.
But Amos told the UN Security Council on November 25 that the delivery of aid from Turkey and Jordan to rebel-held areas in Syria without government approval has "made a difference."
Amos asked the Security Council to extend UN authorization allowing such aid deliveries to continue when the current mandate expires in January.
Amos painted a grim picture of the worsening situation in Syria.
She said the economy has contracted 40 percent since 2011, and that three-quarters of the population are living in poverty.
Amos said 7.6 million people have been displace inside the country and 3.2 million have fled to other countries -- the largest displacement in any conflict.