UN convoys waiting for green light to reach besieged east Aleppo

Jan Egeland, UN special adviser on Syria, said Thursday that humanitarian trucks and teams stood at ready to deliver life-saving supplies to the 275,000 civilians trapped in east Aleppo as soon as all necessary approvals are provided by warring factions.

"We first presented our humanitarian plan on November 3... we now have written approval in principle by the armed opposition groups of east Aleppo, as well as verbal support from Russia on our four-point plan," the diplomat said.

"We are still waiting for the answer from the government of Syria," he added.

Contingent on all parties to the conflict giving the green light, the UN hopes in the coming days to provide vital medical supplies, conduct medical evacuations, deliver food and other critical items while sending more medical personnel to east Aleppo.

The last time aid reached eastern districts of what was once Syria's economic hub was in July this year.

Egeland warned that UN food supplies have now run out in east Aleppo.

If all warring parties give the go-ahead, Egeland explained that relief teams would need 72 hours to prepare operations and a few days and nights to carry out their objectives.

Meanwhile, the senior Norwegian diplomat also reminded that conditions in other besieged and hard-to-reach areas in Syria are extremely concerning as a result of the conflict which broke out in March 2011.

Some 400,000 people have died during the five-year war while millions more have been displaced by fighting and reigning insecurity. Endit