Valerie Amos

For more than four years, we have watched Syria descend into deeper depths of despair surpassing even what the most pessimistic observers thought possible, in the past weeks, we have seen more and more heinous acts. Innocent men, women and children killed, maimed, displaced, and subjected to a savagery that no human should have to endure.

The use of chlorine continues to be reported, killing, injuring and terrorizing civilians, schools and hospitals continue to be attacked.

ISIL's (Islamic State) advance brings with it new depths of depravity to Syria with indiscriminate killing and maiming, raping and destroying, they have forcibly recruited children and made the delivery of humanitarian assistance more and more difficult.

I am heartened and encouraged by the generosity and solidarity shown to date, but I am also conscious of the urgent need to provide emergency shelter and basic goods and services to people affected as the monsoon season approaches. So many people have lost everything.

The government, armed and terrorist groups continue to kill, maim, rape, torture and take Syria to new lows that seemed unimaginable a few years ago, people have become numb to figures that should, every day, shock our collective conscience.

The government, armed and terrorist groups, continue to kill, maim, rape, torture and take Syria to new lows that seemed unimaginable a few years ago, we need the numbness to the senseless violence and the apparent apathy to end.

Time is running out, more people will die. by Valerie Amos

Time is running out, more people will die.

Today, a Syrian's life expectancy is estimated to be 20 years less that when the conflict started, unemployment is around 58 percent, up from around 10 percent in 2010; nearly two-thirds of all Syrians are now estimated to be living in extreme poverty.

The government and the opposition need to think about their people, if they actually went out and saw the conditions in which their people are living, it might actually mean that they would pause and think again about the importance of peace.

Conflict has devastated millions of Syrians' lives, trapping them in conflict areas and denying them access to basic provisions and healthcare.

No one allowed out; no aid allowed in. For years. by Valerie Amos

No one allowed out; no aid allowed in. For years.

Even in war, there are rules. by Valerie Amos

Even in war, there are rules.