Over recent months, the difficulties facing the UN have led to claims from aid groups that it is in hock to the Assad regime, which it denies. Increased Russian pressure on eastern Aleppo has continued, despite a weeklong pause in bombing. O’Brien addressed the UN security council this week to express renewed anger at the inability of the parties to allow for an easing of the suffering of people in eastern Aleppo. A halt in the bombing saw pressure on civilians and militants to leave via “humanitarian corridors”, while aid groups focused on trying to secure medical evacuations. The UN has said the continued bombing of eastern Aleppo will destroy the city by Christmas unless there is a ceasefire.

Source: The Guardian October 28, 2016 08:50 UTC