A convoy bearing humanitarian aid and food supplies has arrived in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya, where residents are thought to have been starving to death.
“We managed to reach Madaya with the humanitarian aid,” said Pawel Krzysiek, a Red Cross spokesman, in an audio message from inside the town. “The first impression is really heartbreaking. You see a lot of people on the street, some of them smiling and waving to us, but many just simply too weak with a very, very bleak expression, very tired.”Speaking to the Guardian from Madaya on Monday evening, resident Ebrahem Abbas said four trucks of aid had entered the town. “People are of course happy,” he said. “They are without food and are waiting and hoping to cook something today but it looks like it won’t be finished until the morning.”
Forces loyal to the Syrian regime have enforced a tight siege on Madaya since July, and until now only one aid delivery had been allowed in, in October.
The Syrian government moved to allow the latest delivery after images of emaciated children and adults prompted worldwide condemnation. The delivery was coordinated with others to Fua and Kefraya, two Shia villages that are surrounded by rebels.
The fates of the three places have been tied for months, and aid deliveries were only allowed if they were simultaneous. Attempts by backers of the rebels and the government to orchestrate a population swap have yet to succeed, but an evacuation of the wounded was agreed in late December.
“It’s really heartbreaking to see the situation of the people,” Krzysiek said. “A while ago I was just approached by a little girl and her first question was: ‘Did you bring food? I hope that you brought food to Fua and Kefraya and to Madaya because we are really hungry.’ And I believe her. She looked hungry.”
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