Your trusted source

The UN Security Council has failed to implement resolutions to protect and help civilians in Syria, a report by a group of 21 aid agencies says, the BBC reported.

The agencies - including Save the Children and Oxfam - say it has been the "worst year" for civilians as the conflict enters its fifth year.

Another humanitarian report says 83% of the lights in Syria have gone out since the conflict began in March 2011.

The UN secretary general says the long-term aim remains a political solution.

"The bitter reality is that the Security Council has failed to implement its resolutions," said Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

"Parties to the conflict have acted with impunity and ignored the Security Council's demands, civilians are not protected and their access to relief has not improved," he added.