Orient Net, 19, December 2017— The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday warned of a humanitarian crisis in Syria’s besieged enclave of Eastern Ghouta due to intensified fighting, food shortages and the blocking of medical evacuations and aid delivery.

“The humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta has reached a critical point. As so often in Syria over the last 6 years, ordinary people are once again trapped in a situation where life slowly becomes impossible and where goods and aid are severely limited,” said the ICRC’s Middle East director, Robert Mardini.

In addition, medical workers on the ground report hundreds of sick and wounded people are deprived from life-saving medical care. The cold weather threatens to further deteriorate the situation. With almost no fuel available, people have very little access to proper heating, further risking their health.

“Chronic disease sufferers and people with severe injuries are struggling to access care. The sick and injured must not be used as pawns in negotiations between the different parties involved in the fighting. Medical attention must be promptly given to those who need it irrespective of who they are,” said Mr. Mardini.

The civilian population in Eastern Ghouta is also facing a frightening food shortage and a huge increase in food prices.

“Some families can afford to eat only one meal a day, an especially sad situation for people with children. As a result, most people have been relying entirely on aid from humanitarian organizations,” added Mr. Mardini.

“All warring parties must reach a solution that puts civilians first and allows humanitarian aid to reach the population on a regular basis. No military or political gains could justify this amount of suffering, whether in Eastern Ghouta or elsewhere in Syria.”