Geneva/Amman – Almost 300,000 civilians could be cut off from food if Syrian forces encircle the rebel-held parts of Aleppo, said the United Nations on Tuesday. The organization also said that the increased bombing in the once largest city of Syria could create a massive flight of refugees to Turkey.
The road that communicates Turkey to the eastern Aleppo was blocked last week after the government launched a major offensive against the rebels on the city. This road is the one used by the World Food Programme (WFP) to reach the starve civilians in the city. The WFP has found new routes but they fear the alternative may be block as well.
“We are extremely concerned as access and supply routes from the north to eastern Aleppo city and surrounding areas are now cut off but we are making every effort to get enough food in place for all those in need, bringing it in through the remaining open border crossing point from Turkey,” said Jakob Kern, WFP’s Country Director in Syria, in a press release.
According to the WFP, thousands of displaced from Aleppo and surroundings have gathered in A’zaz, looking for refuges close to the Bab Al Salam border crossing point, and many more are expected to arrive if the fighting continues.
35,000 Syrians have already gathered around the closed Turkish border as the Aleppo’s bombing intensifies. Turkey is being pressure by the European Union to open its borders and grant refuge to Syrians.
Thousands of Syrians have arrived at the already over-capacity informal camps near the border. The Norwegian Refugee Council said that aid groups are working around the clock to deliver help and first necessity items to the refugees, as reported by New York Times.
Many of the just-arrived Syrians, including entire families with children, have been forced to rest in unusual places out in the open, like in trees and unconventional shelters, due to the fact that the camps are over capacity and they do not have a sleep-place to provide, said Filip Lozinski, an NRC supervisor in the area.
Source: The United Nations