World Bulletin / News Desk

The head of humanitarian aid for the UN urged the Security Council on Wednesday to set aside political differences and take action to end the war in Syria.

"As bestowed by the UN Charter, the Security Council has an inescapable responsibility to help the Syrian people realize a future of peace", Stephen O'Brien said in a briefing to the Council. 

"We are running out of words to describe the utter disregard for human life and dignity that has become the hallmark of this crisis. Every day that passes, more Syrian children, women and men die", he added.

The Syrian civil war has resulted in the deaths of at least 250,000 victims and propelled one of the largest refugee exoduses since the Second World War.

O'Brien said Syrian refugees trying to reach Europe in recent weeks are fleeing for their lives from war and violence, and therefore have a right to seek asylum without any form of discrimination.

"As an international community, it is our responsibility to support the neighboring countries who shoulder most of the burden," the British diplomat said.

The UN refugee agency says 95 percent of the latest 1 million Syrian refugees have gone to neighboring Turkey, which has become the world's largest refugee hosting country. It is hosting more than 1.9 million registered Syrian refugees.

O'Brien also said more than 5.6 million Syrian children are in need of immediate assistance.

"Although the school year commenced this past week, over 2 million children – that’s one out of every three - are not in school in Syria, and an additional 450,000 children are at risk of dropping out,” he added.