UN monitors praised for Syria aid role

As UN observers prepare to leave Syria following their failed peace mission, the EU’s crisis chief has defended their role in the delivery of vital aid, as the need for humanitarian assistance builds.

It is estimated that 2 million Syrians are now struggling to find essential supplies including shelter, food and medicine.

Speaking to reporters in New York, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Kristalina Georgieva said the monitors’ mission had been useful.

“What we hear from our teams in Syria is that yes, it does help. It does provide presence that doesn’t stop violence, but calms down, opens up a bit of space and that helps, yes,” she said.

In Idlib province, residents complain of three hour queues for the only open bakery in the area. When they get to the front of the line, they say supplies are limited.

Despite clashes between regime forces and rebels intensifying in recent days, there is yet to be a mass exodus from Aleppo, Syria’s second city.

Locals say that food is running out in many neighbourhoods and that the situation is becoming desperate.

Turkish officials say they are expecting to host up to 100,000 people at the Reyhanli refugee camp, just 50 kilometres away from Aleppo.

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