Madaya - The sad tale of starvation deaths in besieged Syrian town

Pic courtesy: Twitter

Damascus: Starvation deaths in the Syrian town of Madaya is on the rise.

According to a a report in The Guardian, the international charity Médecins Sans Frontières has confirmed that five more people have died due to starvation. 

It also said that 200 more malnourished patients could become critical if aid doesn’t arrive.

Update #Madaya: MSF-supported medics in the besieged town have 10 critical starvation patients needing urgent hospitalization #Syria

— MSF International (@MSF) January 10, 2016

Update #Madaya: 200 more malnourished patients could become critical & in need of hospitalization within a week if aid doesn't arrive #Syria

— MSF International (@MSF) January 10, 2016

Update #Madaya: 5 starvation-deaths confirmed in besieged town today, Sunday 10 Jan. One 9-year-old boy and four over 45-years men #Syria

— MSF International (@MSF) January 10, 2016

It is being said that residents are being forced to live on tree leaves and flavoured water as well as grass scoured from minefields.

And the children are being given sugar serums directly into their mouths to save them from malnourishment.

As per the report, deliveries of food, medicine and hygiene kits were expected in Madaya soon

The Red Cross has confirmed that the convoys were on the way.

The images of emaciated children and adults from the town have prompted worldwide outrage and condemnation of the Syrian government.

On January 07, the Syria's government gave permission for UN aid deliveries to three besieged towns, including Madaya near Damascus, the UN had said.

"The UN welcomes today's approval from the Government of Syria to access Madaya, Fuaa and Kafraya and is preparing to deliver humanitarian assistance in the coming days," a UN statement had said, as per AFP.

The three towns are part of a landmark six-month deal reached in September for an end to hostilities in those areas in exchange for humanitarian assistance.

Access to Madaya and nearby Zabadani had been restricted by pro-regime forces, while Fuaa and Kafraya, in northwest Syria, are surrounded by anti-government fighters.

Madaya last received humanitarian assistance in October but has since been inaccessible "despite numerous requests," according to the statement from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Around 40,000 people, mostly civilians, live in the town in Damascus province.

The UN said that over the past year, only 10 percent of its requested aid deliveries to hard-to-reach and besieged areas of Syria were approved and carried out. 

(With Agency inputs)