UNITED NATIONS, June 30 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) officials informed the Security Council on Thursday that Syrians are confronted with an escalating humanitarian crisis amid the enduring 12-year-long conflict.

In response, the General Assembly passed a resolution, paving the way for the establishment of a pioneering institution aimed at addressing the plight of some 100,000 individuals who remain missing in Syria.

"The violence and suffering of the Syrian people remind us of what is at stake as diplomatic efforts continue in Syria," said Najat Rochdi, UN deputy special envoy for the country. "Ultimately, we need a nationwide ceasefire in line with Security Council Resolution 2254."

In her briefing on the current situation, she said recent reports have tracked deadly drone attacks, shelling, terrorist attacks, and a spate of pro-government airstrikes.

"Syrians face an ever-worsening humanitarian crisis," she said.

Against this backdrop, Syrians still face massive displacement, an acute economic crisis, and the tragedy of the detained, disappeared, and missing, she said.

"All of these factors show us why it is so important for renewed diplomacy to translate into real solutions to meet the immediate concerns of the Syrian people, build some trust and confidence among the parties, and move forward towards a political solution," she said.

"Syrians' needs must be at the center of our approach, and humanitarian action must be depoliticized," she added.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths reiterated the call.

"Twelve years of conflict, economic collapse, and other factors have pushed 90 percent of the population below the poverty line," he said, adding that a recent visit to the Syrian capital of Damascus left him "with a greater sense of the profound humanitarian challenges but also the urgent opportunities facing Syria."

Amid the ongoing violence, sharply rising food prices, recovery from the devastating earthquakes in February, and a spreading cholera outbreak, he said the humanitarian community's "best chance" to improve the future of the Syrian people is further expanding early recovery activities.

Equally important is the Security Council's 12-month renewal of its resolution on cross-border operations, which will improve humanitarian conditions, he said.

Calling for increased international support, he said the UN and its partners currently "have limited means to help the most vulnerable people in Syria."

He said a 200 million dollar deficit will force the World Food Programme (WFP) to slash its emergency food aid to Syrians for next month by 40 percent.

"The humanitarian response in Syria is at a critical juncture, as is the future of Syria itself," he said. "Considerable challenges are apparent, but so are important opportunities if we can leverage recovery funding, if we can continue to be present in northwest and northeast Syria, and if we can turn our attention to sectors which have such a central role in determining basic needs," such as electricity and water.

On Thursday afternoon, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to establish a first-of-its-kind institution that will work to reveal the fate of an estimated 100,000 people missing or who have disappeared by force in Syria. Enditem

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