UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations humanitarian chief on Thursday told the UN Security Council that protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure in northwest Syria remains fundamental, while noting that the humanitarian needs are growing exponentially.
"A ceasefire would be a first step, and compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure remains fundamental," UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock told the council meeting on the situation in Syria via video teleconference in Geneva.
Echoing Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy for Syria, Lowcock said that "what is needed is a genuine dialogue by the parties to the conflict towards a sustainable political solution pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2254."
Talking about the humanitarian situation, he said that "in the week since I last briefed you on the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in northwest Syria, we have seen a further substantial escalation."
"Every morning we wake up to more reports of shelling and airstrikes on dozens of communities throughout the northwest," he said.
The impact of military operations on civilians has been severe. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has documented 373 civilians killed since Dec. 1. Forty-nine deaths were recorded between Feb. 1 and 5. Three humanitarian workers from organizations the United Nations works closely with have also been killed in recent days, he said.
"OHCHR reported one of the most serious incidents in the last two months on Jan. 15, when at least 19 civilians are believed to have been killed, and more than 60 others injured, as a result of an airstrike that hit the al-Hal vegetable market in Idlib city," he added.
"The United Nations and the broader humanitarian community are doing everything possible to address the significant needs of some 3 million people who need help in northwestern Syria," said Lowcock.
"Despite the efforts of humanitarian organizations, needs are growing exponentially," he said.
