The United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday urged the warring parties in Syria to provide immediate and unconditional access to thousands of civilians in besieged and hard-to-reach areas.
“While efforts to fully implement a ceasefire in Syria continue, we again appeal for immediate, unconditional, and safe access to reach the children and families,” a joint statement by the UN and WHO said.
The statement, signed by the UN’s World Food Program, the UN children’s agency UNICEF, UN Humanitarian aid director Stephen O’Brien, UN refugees commissioner Filippo Grandi and WHO chief Margaret Chan, stressed that the crisis in Aleppo must not be repeated elsewhere in Syria.
The statement pointed out that “denial of food, water, medical supplies, and other forms of aid continue to be used as weapons of war.”
“All over Syria, people continue to suffer because they lack the most basic elements to sustain their lives – and because of the continued risk of violence.”
The statement added: “Children are at heightened risk of malnutrition, dehydration, diarrhea, infectious diseases, and injury. Many need support after being exposed to traumatic events, violence and other violations. Tragically, far too many children have known little but conflict and loss in their young lives.”
“The horrors of the siege of the eastern districts of Aleppo have disappeared from the public consciousness – but we must not let the needs, the lives and the futures of Syria’s people fade from the world’s conscience.”
The UN estimates 700,000 people, including 300,000 children, are trapped in 15 besieged zones across the country, with nearly five million civilians living in areas that are hard to reach due to fighting and restricted access. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Office + Agencies)
