Civilians waiting Women cried out with relief as the first four trucks, carrying the banner of the Syria Red Crescent, crossed into Madaya after sunset, with civilians waiting on the outskirts of the town as the temperature dropped and it began to get dark.
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Ashley Proud, Mercy Corps’ director for south and central Syria, said that the level of malnourishment in besieged areas “will not be solved by a single aid delivery”.
“Starving civilians is an inhuman tactic used by the Asad regime and their allies” said British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft. “This is what this institution was created to prevent”.
Shocking photos of starving Syrians have gone global, with an estimated 400,000 people living under siege in 15 areas across Syria, as reported by the United Nations (U.N).
Blockades have been utilized strategically in the Syrian civil war, with both sides attempting to exert pressure on one another by cutting off aid to besieged areas. Opposition leaders claim dozens have died, although this is unconfirmed. The civilians face the constant fear of death with forces including the government, rebels and major worldwide players such as the United States and Russian Federation waging war on their homeland.
The lorries are carrying food including vegetable oil, rice, sugar, flour and salt as well as water, blankets, medicines and surgical supplies and baby food.
Earlier, an aid convoy brought food to 40,000 town residents who have been under government siege for six months. Foua and Kefraya support the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Government forces have besieged rebel-held areas near Damascus for several years and more recently rebel groups have blockaded loyalist areas, including al Foua and Kefraya.
Last month, at least 23 people died of starvation inside the town amid pleas for the fast delivery of aid.
He said his government was committed to “cooperate fully” on aid delivery but said much of what was said about Madaya was “based on false information”.
It could take a number of days to distribute the aid in Madaya, and to the Shiite villages of Foua and Kfarya in the northern part of the country.
Another 44 trucks were headed to Madaya, in Damascus province, where 42,000 people are reportedly suffering from severe food and medical shortages. “Or they are in grave peril of losing their lives and dying with either the causes being from malnutrition or for complications for other medical reasons”, Mr O’Brien said. “It’s cold and raining but there is excitement because we are here with some food and blankets”, Sajjad Malik, UNHCR’s representative in Syria, said in a text message from the isolated town.
Food and medical supplies reached Madaya in trucks.
And when a child dies, the doctor said, it’s likely his or her siblings will die soon, too.
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Reports of starvation and images of emaciated children have raised global concerns and underscored the urgency for new peace talks that the U.N.is hoping to host in Geneva on January 25. The release was also noted on the station’s social media pages.
