The UN today called for greater UN Security Council pressure for access to war-stricken Syria as it announced a major rise in homelessness and civilians in need.
UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos told the council that 9.3 million people now need outside help to survive, up from 6.8 million in September, and 6.5 million are now homeless inside the country, up from 4.25 million.
The United Nations estimates that the number fleeing Syria will hit three million by the end of the year.
With neighbouring countries such as Jordan warning that they cannot cope with the influx from Syria, Amos appealed to the council for its "help and influence" to press for greater access to give assistance inside Syria.
Amos said the council "should put its full political weight with both the regime and the opposition parties" to ensure that previous calls for access are carried out, Britain's UN ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said after Amos gave a private briefing to the council.
The humanitarian chief handed the council a letter which set out a call for greater pressure to back a statement agreed by the Security Council on October 2 calling on the government and opposition rebels to make it easier to provide food and medicines.
The UN says that well over 100,000 people have been killed in Syria since March 2011, when protests against President Bashar al-Assad started.
Amos told the council that the Syria crisis "continues to deteriorate rapidly and inexorably," said her spokeswoman Amanda Pitt.
She "continues to press the council for their help and influence over those parties who can ensure the protection of civilians and civilian facilities; the safe passage of medical personnel and supplies; the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance.
