A HUMAN tragedy is unfolding while the world watches and does nothing. Months of siege and the recent intensification of indiscriminate bombing by the Syrian government and its allies have left the population of eastern Aleppo in desperate straits and its .
There is no way out for the 250,000 people there. Meanwhile, food and medical supplies cannot get in. My organisation, MSF, has been providing medical supplies, drugs and lifesaving surgical kits to eight hospitals in east Aleppo since 2014, sending in lorries every three months. Our teams last succeeded in getting items through in August, during a brief period when the siege was broken.
In the meantime, all eight hospitals have been bombed, one up to six times. Altogether they have been hit 27 times, forcing all work to halt on occasion. Staff are doing all they can to keep going, but they are overwhelmed: .
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鈥淩espite must be given to a city falling apart day by day, hour by hour and minute by minute鈥�
These medics work around the clock to help. Since 23 September, when airstrikes intensified, more than 2000 people have been hurt, including 446 children. Patients die because there are not enough operating theatres and doctors.
Often the wounded are unable to reach a hospital in time. At least six ambulances have been targeted, some destroyed. Spare parts don鈥檛 get through. Medical supplies, fuel for generators, drinking water and almost every other essential are running low.
The medical consequences of this environment are shocking. The doctors we support report an increase in child malnutrition and waterborne diseases.
Some mothers are too weak to breastfeed, and a lack of formula milk and other basics is leading to preventable deaths. Routine vaccinations are suspended. All this is a big threat to the most vulnerable, including children, pregnant women and patients with chronic diseases.
What is needed is an end to the indiscriminate airstrikes on civilian areas, respect for medical facilities and patients, and an end to the crippling siege.
The seriously injured or ill must be evacuated. Medical supplies and aid must be allowed in, and respite given to a city falling apart day by day, hour by hour and minute by minute.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淎leppo in need鈥�
