Speaking in Damascus after talks with Syrian officials, UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos has said that up to 2.5 million people in Syria now require aid. Whilst the UN is continuing to provide aid, their efforts are being stymied by operational restrictions and lack of funding.

Ms Amos said that the requirements for provisions such as food, water, sanitation and access to health care were increasing and the number of people in need had been revised upwards since earlier in the ongoing conflict.