The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution demanding that all combatants in Syria allow the urgent delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to more than 13.5 million people.
The resolution expresses "outrage" at the escalating violence in Syria and extends the authorisation for cross-border aid deliveries without government approval until January 10, 2017.
The council said it was "gravely distressed by the continued deterioration of the devastating humanitarian situation in Syria".
Of the more than 13.6 million people in need of food and medical assistance, it said 6.5 million were internally displaced, 4.5 million, including Palestinian refugees, were living in hard-to-reach areas, and 393,700 were trapped in besieged areas.
The council also expressed grave concern that extremist groups were hindering aid deliveries.
