After unanimously adopting a resolution to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons, the United Nations Security Council is turning its attention to the country's dire humanitarian crisis.
Australian U.N. Ambassador Gary Francis Quinlan, who also is the outgoing president of the Security Council, said Monday he expects the Council this week to urge Syrian authorities to allow immediate access for desperately needed humanitarian aid.
Currently, the Syrian government only allows 12 international aid groups to work inside the country.
The U.N. says entire suburbs and towns have been deliberately overwhelmed or cut off by fighting. Dozens of checkpoints block main roads between towns and cities, impeding aid delivery to millions in urgent need.
Also Monday, Syria's neighbors pleaded for more international support to deal with the huge influx of refugees.
Foreign ministers of Jordan, Turkey and Iraq warned the burden of hosting the refugees could destabilize the whole region.
More than 2.1 million Syrians have fled into neighboring countries since the beginning of the conflict that has killed more than 100,000 people.
Australian U.N. Ambassador Gary Francis Quinlan, who also is the outgoing president of the Security Council, said Monday he expects the Council this week to urge Syrian authorities to allow immediate access for desperately needed humanitarian aid.
Currently, the Syrian government only allows 12 international aid groups to work inside the country.
The U.N. says entire suburbs and towns have been deliberately overwhelmed or cut off by fighting. Dozens of checkpoints block main roads between towns and cities, impeding aid delivery to millions in urgent need.
Also Monday, Syria's neighbors pleaded for more international support to deal with the huge influx of refugees.
Foreign ministers of Jordan, Turkey and Iraq warned the burden of hosting the refugees could destabilize the whole region.
More than 2.1 million Syrians have fled into neighboring countries since the beginning of the conflict that has killed more than 100,000 people.