Ms Jane-Ann McKenna:

I can attempt to address a few of the questions raised. Aid delivery in government-held areas as opposed to opposition areas has been raised a few times. As I mentioned, since the beginning of the year only 20 UN and International Rescue Committee convoys have been able to cross front lines. The majority of the aid within the UN is being delivered in government-held areas. There has been an argument that the issue violates Syrian sovereignty by crossing front lines and borders to deliver aid, and we have raised this as a major consideration. The current aid system is not working effectively for Syria, and there is a need for a level of innovation, flexibility and creativity by all actors to be able to deliver aid effectively in the region. We know the Syrian Arab Red Crescent has 10,000 people working on the ground, and they have managed to deliver aid effectively. There are numerous diaspora networks that are probably the most effective means of delivering aid on the ground, as opposed to larger western aid organisations like ourselves. There are limits on what we can do.

With regard to medical needs, although we can send medical supplies and technical equipment, there is a greater need for even more technical equipment and expertise. There are complex surgeries required and deep inside Syria there is nobody to do them; it is too dangerous for MSF to go there and we do not have permission to be there anyway. We can send supplies and medicine but there is not enough to save more lives on the ground.

The availability of medical facilities and workers has been mentioned; there is not one side or another which is doing right or wrong in this respect. We have seen threats from both sides - the opposition and the Syrian regime - when it comes to distributing medical aid.

We have received funding this year for our programmes in the central African republic - South Sudan and Chad- for which we are grateful. It is policy within MSF that we do not accept funding in highly politicised or conflict areas. Syria is one of them, as are Somalia and Mali. It is not a reflection on Irish Aid as a donor. Irish Aid is one of the few government agencies we will accept funding from. However, this maintains our own independence on the ground. When we go into these areas, whichever side is in control, we can say we are there with no agenda other than to deliver medical assistance.