Syria conflict: 7 million people need urgent aid

Some seven million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid due to the conflict in Syria, a UN top official said, saying $4.4 billion (3.3 billion euros) is needed this year.
Of those in urgent need, more than two million have taken shelter outside Syria, while more than four million people have been displaced within the country, said UN Emergency Relief coordinator Valerie Amos.
“We are doing what we can but it is not enough,” AFP quoted her as saying at a conference in Kuwait City, adding that UN agencies have 1,000 staff on the ground, mostly Syrians.
She highlighted a wide hole in the funds available for humanitarian aid to the victims of the Syrian conflict.
“We need a total of $4.4 billion for Syria and neighboring countries just for this year. So far we have raised $1.84 billion of that,” said .
“The challenge we face is that the increased financial requirements for Syria could imply diverting funds from other very serious crises around the world,” she said.
Speaking in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said UN Security Council resolution that would approve a US-Russia deal to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons must be enforceable.
Ban said the “most effective” way is under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.
It deals with threats to international peace and security and has provisions for enforcement by military or non-military means such as sanctions.
While in principle all Security Council resolutions are legally binding, Ban said, “in reality, we need clear guidelines under Chapter 7.”
The US and Russia are arguing over putting the resolution under Chapter 7.
US Mission spokeswoman Erin Pelton said the five permanent council members were meeting to discuss a draft resolution.