International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Monday that they started to transfer relief materials to some 60,000 residents of three besieged towns in Syria.
Loaded with foods, medicines, blankets and other aid materials, 49 trucks arrived in the town of Madaya, which located in Damascus suburbs, and towns of Foua and Kefraya, both of which are near Turkey.
Data shows about 40,000 residents in Madaya, and other 20,000 in Foua and Kefraya, are in difficult condition.
“We managed to reach Madaya with the humanitarian aid while the first impression is really heart-breaking. You see a lot of people on the street, some of them are smiling to us and waving to us, but many are just simply too weak with very very weak expression, very tired,” said Pawel Krzysiek, ICRC spokesperson.
ICRC said the relief, which is predicted to last for days, is definitely an active progress, while unimpeded access is necessary to help the thousands of, or even tens of thousands of trapped residents.
According to a UN report, the last time that Madaya received relief materials is October 2015.
The report confirmed that some people in Syria are starving, while some have been injured or even killed during their fleeing.
“It’s really heart-breaking to see the situation of the people. A while ago I was just approached by a little girl, and her first question was this – ‘Did you bring food? Did you bring food? I hope you brought food to Foua, Kefraya, and to Madaya because we are really hungry.'” Krzysiek recalled.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also participated the relief action.
UN estimated that about 4.5 million residents are living in remote areas in Syria, in which about 400,000 of 15 besieged areas cannot get relief.
UN said only one-tenth of relief plans are approved in 2015. (CCTV/Reuters)
