UN: Food aid reaches 41.9 percent of Syrian besieged

A UN report says food aid has reached nearly half the civilians trapped in besieged areas of Syria, but much more remains to be done to help the 13.5 million in need across the war-torn nation, AP reported.

The report released Wednesday, found that despite a teetering cessation of hostilities, there was an overall increase in fighting and a significant rise in civilian casualties as well as the destruction of hospitals, markets and schools during the month of April.

According to the report, food assistance has reached over 200,000 people or 41.9 percent of those living in besieged areas, nearly double the 21 percent reached in March.

Meanwhile, the killing of civilians and violations of human rights rose sharply in April after a period of relative calm, the report said.