"Since 1 December, some 900,000 people have been uprooted by violence, the vast majority of whom are women and children," he stated.

"They are traumatized and forced to sleep outside in freezing temperatures because camps are full. Mothers are burning plastic to keep children warm and babies and small children are dying because of the cold," Lowcock said.

He stressed that a deadly vortex of proxy wars could lead to the biggest humanitarian horror story of the 21st Century unless Security Council members, and those with influence, overcome individual interests and put a collective stake in humanity first.

"We are now receiving reports that settlements for displaced people are being hit, resulting in deaths, injuries and further displacement", the Humanitarian Affairs chief explained.

Although a huge relief operation, across the border from Turkey, is underway, he lamented that it is overwhelmed.

"The only option is a ceasefire", Lowcock concluded.

ILKHA