From: Terje Rod-Larsen To: mleevacationggmail.com"' <Jeevacation(a2gmail.com> Subject: Fw: Reuters -- About 40 percent of Syrians need humanitarian aid -U.N. II DPA -- UN: 9.3 million Syrians need humanitarian aid Date: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 05:34:07 +0000 From: Douglas T. Coffman [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 03:03 AM Subject: Reuters -- About 40 percent of Syrians need humanitarian aid -U.N. // DPA -- UN: 9.3 million Syrians need humanitarian aid 11/04/2013 14:08:13 About 40 percent of Syrians need humanitarian aid -U.N. Louis Charbonneau Source: Reuters World Service Date: November 04, 2013 UNITED NATIONS, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The United Nations estimates that around 9.3 million people in Syria or about 40 percent of the population need humanitarian assistance due to the country's 2-1/2-year, the U.N. humanitarian office said on Monday. "The humanitarian situation in Syria continues to deteriorate rapidly and inexorably," U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos told the U.N. Security Council behind closed doors, according to her spokeswoman Amanda Pitt. "The number of people we estimate to be in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria has now risen to some 9.3 million," Pitt said, summarizing Amos' remarks to the 15-nation council. "Of them, 6.5 million people are displaced from their homes, within the country." The population of Syria is around 23 million. "Amos 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; and can facilitate progress in expanding critical, life-saving relief operations," Pitt said. Amos' plea to the council follows the Syrian government's promise on Monday to ensure delivery of vaccinations and humanitarian aid across the country, after an outbreak of polio in the Northeast and warnings o