(MENAFN) An immediate cessation of hostilities for at least a month across Syria has been called for by the United Nations, which said that this time is needed to deliver humanitarian aid to the war-torn country.

In a joint statement, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and representatives of UN organizations working in Syria appealed for an "immediate cessation of hostilities for at least a month throughout the country to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance and services and to evacuate critical cases of patients and wounded."

The United Nations warned of "the dire consequences of the worsening humanitarian crisis in several parts of the country," noting that the plan to deliver aid to some areas remains "disabled by access restrictions, incompatibility over areas, aid or number of beneficiaries."

According to the United Nations, more than 13 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance and basic services. About 69 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty, and millions need food, clean water, shelter and other services.

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