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                    US, UN Concerned About Besieged Syrians

   by VOA News

   The United States expressed deep concern Monday about the humanitarian
   situation in Syria where the U.N. says 13.5 million people are in need
   of aid nationwide.

   U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power called particular attention
   to 15 areas under siege, saying the Syrian government is responsible
   for 12 of the blockades and that at least 35 people have died there
   since the beginning of December.

   She called on all parties in Syria to allow unhindered access to
   humanitarian groups.

   'Need signs of hope'

   "More than ever, the Syrian people need signs of hope that they are not
   destined to live in conflict indefinitely," Power said.

   U.N. aid agencies warned Monday that 200,000 people in the besieged
   eastern city of Deir el-Zour face "sharply deteriorating conditions"
   and are in urgent need of food and medical supplies.

   ''U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the world body has approval to
   airlift aid to the area, but that heavy fighting has prevented the
   operation from taking place.

   The U.N., Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the International Red Cross have
   been partnering on aid deliveries to two besieged towns near the Libyan
   border and two others farther north near the Turkish border.

   Aid postponed

   They said in a joint statement that aid to Foua and Kafraya in the
   north had to be postponed after rebels told them they needed more time
   to finalize security arrangements. The agencies pledged to continue
   working to reach people in those towns and see what help they need.

   U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said in a letter Sunday that he
   is "angry and frustrated" about the situation in the besieged areas and
   noted that he and others have repeatedly called for sieges to no longer
   be used as a weapon against civilians.

   "But let me be clear, only a political solution for peace and the
   respect for international humanitarian law by all parties will make the
   biggest difference for Syrians seeking assistance and for humanitarian
   organizations the ability to provide it," he said.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-un-concerned-about-beseiged-syrians/3152301.html