Inter-agency convoy to deliver aid in more besieged areas in Syria

An inter-agency humanitarian convoy is on its way to Big Orem in Syria's Aleppo Governorate to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance to some 50,000 people, Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, told reporters here Monday.

"The convoy includes water, sanitation and hygiene items, as well as nutrition and health supplies and basic household items," Haq said at a daily news briefing here.

Big Orem was last reached by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in January 2016 with medical supplies.

"While recent convoys to besieged and hard-to-reach areas are welcome, many more are needed," Haq said. "The United Nations continues to call for unconditional, unimpeded and sustained access to all the 4.6 million people living in besieged and hard-to-reach locations across the country."

In mid-February, aid convoys loaded with food and medicine to relieve civilians in need have entered five besieged areas in Syria.

The convoys, announced by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, entered the Damascus suburb of Moadamiyah, which is under siege from forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, as well as Fua and Kefraya, which are besieged by rebels.

Humanitarian agencies believe that more than 1 million people are living under siege in Syria in dozens of locations, the vast majority of which are sieges imposed by the regime, according to media reports. Endit