Activists Document the Siege’s Heavy Toll on East Ghouta

The Syrian Network for Human Rights released report on the humanitarian situation in East Gouta, which has been under a crippling siege imposed by regime forces since October 2013. The report noted that it documented at least 183 deaths due to severe lack of food and medical supplies. Among the dead are 134 children, mostly newborns, and 22 women. The report also pointed to the spread of diseases like the typhoid fever, hepatitis, and gastroenteritis, due to the regime’s systematic targeting of hospitals and medical points, and to a lack of clean drinking water.” The report cited Dr. Majid Abu Ali, a member of the medical office in East Gouta, who said that most cases of diarrhea are viral or microbial toxins, despite the fact that there are few infections with typhoid. There are also numerous cases of hepatitis.” Abu Ali attributed the causes of these diseases to the contamination of groundwater and food due to the lack of fuel and electricity necessary to preserve food supplies during the hot summer. (Source: Syrian Network Human Rights)