The United States on Tuesday said the Syrian crisis is an enormous humanitarian challenge, calling the violence "disgusting" and "horrific." "Undoubtedly this is horrific and disgusting violence and it is appalling on a number of levels ... nearly 100,000 [have been] slaughtered," State Department deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell said during the daily press briefing. "This is an incredibly complex situation given all the regional dynamics, given the specific history of Syria," Ventrell said, adding that "It is an enormous humanitarian challenge." "The United States has provided nearly $1 billion of humanitarian assistance to ease the suffering of the Syrian people," Ventrell told reporters. "We are focused on helping the opposition so that they can organize, so that they can provide a coherent plan for a post-Assad Syria, a nonsectarian, nonviolent, peaceful Syria," Ventrell said.
