Aid group warns of crisis in battered rebel enclave
The intensity of the air strikes, which have killed more than 220 civilians in just four days, has made it extremely difficult for relief workers to assist the estimated 400,000 people who live in the enclave under siege, CARE International said.
Recommended articles
![The dog remains with the woman as part of a divorce ruling [Reuters/Mike Blake]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "The dog remains with the woman as part of a divorce ruling [Reuters/Mike Blake]")
"Our partners are having a hard time moving around, so how can they reach vulnerable people?" the group's communications director for Syria, Joelle Bassoul, asked.
A CARE-supported community centre in the town of Douma was among the buildings hit, forcing those using it into underground shelters.
More than 4,000 families in Eastern Ghouta are living in basements and bunkers, according to Save the Children.
ADVERTISEMENT
The enclave, just east of the capital, is supposed to be one of four "de-escalation zones" declared last year in a bid to reduce the bloodshed.
But Damascus has intensified its bombing of the district's towns and is also conducting a major offensive in another of the zones -- Idlib province in the northwest.
UN aid officials appealed for a month-long humanitarian truce to allow aid to be delivered and the sick and wounded brought out for treatment.
But on Thursday the Security Council failed to back the proposal which regime ally Moscow described as "not realistic."
Bassoul warned that without a truce, the consequences for civilians would be disastrous.
ADVERTISEMENT
"If there is no ceasefire, if this is all left unheard, we cannot imagine the scale of the humanitarian disaster," she said.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
10 Northern governors will fly to US to learn how to protect their region
Task force enters streets as Alex Otti declares war against indiscipline in Abia
FG suspends mining activities within OAU after reports of illegal operations
Like Bobrisky, EFCC drags Cubana Chief Priest to court for spraying naira notes
Israeli military leaders to hold third meeting on how to deal with Iran
Nigeria's telecoms sector witnesses revival as NCC's leadership draws acclaim
Like Ganduje in Kano, Kaduna Assembly opens investigation against El-Rufai
DNA on Chidinma's dress matches victim, Ataga in alleged murder trial
NDLEA destroys 300 tons of illicit drugs in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu praises effort
Pulse Sports
Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami
Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe
Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024
Alex Iwobi makes Premier League history which Mikel, Yakubu, Kanu could not achieve
Like Michael Jordan - Details of Victor Osimhen’s ‘superhuman’ jump against Monza emerges
ADVERTISEMENT
![Lori and George Schappell shared 30% brain [Shutterstock]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Lori and George Schappell shared 30% brain [Shutterstock]")