GENEVA: A Syrian airstrike on an opposition in the north flattened a string of houses and killed at least 20 people including children as UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos highlighted the increasingly precarious humanitarian situation in Syria after meeting officials in Damascus to lobby for access for more international aid workers.
"Our assessment at the end of March was that a million people needed help," she told the BBC, adding that the number may now be as high as 2.5 million people in need of aid in Syria.
That number includes thousands who have taken up shelter in schools, public buildings and private residences, according to aid officials and activists.
| Let the Organization of Islamic Countries and the Arab League step up. The oil ticks have the cash, and the Syrians are 'brother Arabs'. |
In addition to those displaced within Syria, the UN says at least 157,600 people have fled to neighboring countries, based on those registered, while there are reports that many in conflict zones are suffering shortages of food, power and medical supplies.
UN human rights investigators yesterday accused forces loyal to Assad of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report called for the UN Security Council to take "appropriate action" given the gravity of documented violations. |