9.3 million Syrians need humanitarian help

The United Nations humanitarian chief Valerie Amos told the U.N. Security Council that the number of Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance has risen dramatically to 9.3 million people, up from 6.8 million in June. Spokeswoman Amanda Pitt said Amos also told the council in a closed briefing Monday that those in need include 6.5 million people who have fled their homes but remain in the country, up from 4.25 million displaced people in June.
Pitt said Amos has been pressing Security Council members to use their influence to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. Meanwhile the Syrian government said on Monday that it will work with international organizations to ensure that all children in the country, even those in rebel-held areas, will be vaccinated against polio following an outbreak of the crippling and highly communicable disease. The World Health Organization last week confirmed 10 cases of polio among babies and toddlers in northeastern Syria, which could put to risk an estimated half-million Syrian children who haven't been immunized because of the civil war.(Source: AP)