UN agency seeks access to civilians in ISIS-held Syrian city
BEIRUT - The UN's refugee agency on Monday called for better access to northern Syria's Raqqa province, where US-backed forces are trying to drive the Islamic State group out of its self-styled capital, saying close to half a million people are in need of assistance.
Clearing operations around the city have been underway for months, and the UNHCR says 100,000 people were displaced in May alone.
UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic said the barriers to movement have made aid operations "costly and complex."
He said all land routes to the region have been blocked by other parties to Syria's civil war that are hostile to the US-backed force, forcing the aid agency to rely on airlifts.
"Resources are also badly needed," said Mahecic. "Funding is not keeping up with needs on the ground."
