ICRC calls for immediate lifting of all sieges across Syria

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Wednesday that all sieges being carried out across Syria must be ended as a matter of urgency, and because of overwhelming humanitarian needs, the international body posted on its website.

The appeal comes after access was granted earlier this week to three towns in the country which have been under siege for months. The populations in all three areas were found to be living in appalling conditions.

Joint ICRC, UN and Syrian Arab Red Crescent convoys delivered food, medicines and blankets to tens of thousands of people in Madaya, Kefraya and Foua.

The most senior ICRC official in Syria, Marianne Gasser, said action needed to be taken now to help more than 400,000 Syrians currently living in besieged areas across the country.

"The scenes we witnessed in Madaya were truly heartbreaking. People are desperate. Food is in extremely short supply. It is the elderly, women and children who are suffering the most, especially from severe malnourishment. The conditions are some of the worst that I have witnessed in my five years in the country. This cannot go on," said Gasser.

At the same time, Foua and Kefraya, two towns in the north of the country that have also been under siege for several months and whose people suffer the same dreadful conditions, received equally vital aid.

Many people need urgent medical treatment. The lack of food has made the situation even worse.

Source: MENA