UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations said Monday that it remains concerned that 5.5 million people in and around Damascus City continue to be deprived of running water.

According to a UN press release, technical teams from the Syria water authorities have reportedly not yet to be able to access the damaged water infrastructure to assess the damage resulting from ongoing hostilities fighting in Wadi Barada area since December 22.

Negotiations continue to enable repairs to the infrastructure and to reach an agreement in the area, says the release.

The UN called on all parties to allow immediate, unrestricted and sustained access in order to restore the provision of water.

Since Dec. 22, the fighting in Wadi Barada had resulted in the displacement of an estimated 10,000 men, women and children out of the area, including 7,500 people registered by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in Government-controlled areas.

The UN and partners provide the displaced with winterization kits, blankets, sleeping bags, mattresses, kitchen sets and other emergency assistance. The UN has pre-positioned humanitarian supplies ready for distribution and contingency plans are in place in case more people are displaced.

Meanwhile, on last Saturday, the first inter-agency humanitarian convoy of 2017 delivered much needed food, health, nutrition, education and non-food assistance for 40,000 men, women and children in need in Madamiyet El Sham.

The previous convoy to the besieged area was on October 23, 2016.