Madaya, Other Besieged Syrian Towns Continue To Face Food, Medical Supply Shortages, U.N. Agencies Warn

CNN: Help arrives in Madaya, but too late for some
“…In a war where food has long been a weapon of war, the fate of Madaya has shone a brief spotlight on a savage tactic of war that aid workers say all sides are guilty of exploiting…” (Walsh, 1/16).

International Business Times: Syria: Madaya humanitarian situation still grim says UNICEF
“Though a second humanitarian convoy arrived in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya, the situation remains grim as help reached very late for many, the UNICEF chief for Syria said…” (Jimmy, 1/16).

New York Times: Medical Aid Sent to Starving Syrian Town of Madaya
“Alarmed by starvation in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya, aid agencies sent a mobile medical clinic there on Friday and planned to increase medical support…” (Cumming-Bruce, 1/15).

NPR: As Aid Is Offered In Madaya, Other Regions In Syria Are Still Besieged
“…U.N. officials are emphasizing that the need in Syria extends far beyond those towns. Almost 400,000 people are living in besieged areas in Syria, the U.N. says…” (Domonoske, 1/17).

Reuters: U.N. says has reports of starvation in Syria’s besieged Deir Al-Zor
“Unverified reports say 15 to 20 people died of starvation in the Syrian city of Deir al-Zor last year, the United Nations said on Saturday, warning that 200,000 residents there face a severe food shortage and sharply deteriorating conditions…” (Miles, 1/16).

Reuters: Severe malnutrition confirmed in Syria’s Madaya, 32 deaths reported in month: U.N.
“…The United Nations said another convoy was planned to Madaya, sealed off by pro-government forces, and rebel-besieged villages of al-Foua and Kefraya in Idlib [this] week, and that regular access was needed…” (Davison/Nebehay, 1/15).

U.N. News Centre: ‘Sharply deteriorating conditions’ in besieged areas of Syria, U.N. aid agencies report
“United Nations humanitarian agencies expressed concern [Monday] that an estimated 200,000 people are facing ‘sharply deteriorating conditions’ in the besieged western side of Deir-Ez-Zor city in Syria, while the top U.N. relief official stressed that the world body continues to act ‘impartially, neutrally, and independently’ to reach people in need throughout the country…” (1/18).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400
Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KFF | twitter.com/kff

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.