The civil war in Syria has left thousands of civilians displaced, dead, or under military control. While the plight of millions of refugees has been extensively covered by the media, the situation of those who remain in Syria has been hard to gauge. Recently, the UN has reported the devastating malnutrition and starvation faced by many people still in Syria, thereby denying children of their right to food.
Government city sieges
It has been reported that there are between 450,000 to 800,000 people trapped in about 15 locations across Syria. Many cities are besieged by the Syrian government, as they attempt to regain control over rebel areas. Others are trapped by ISIS forces or other insurgent groups.
The Syrian government has been accused of using starvation – a recognized international war crime – as a weapon of war throughout the five year conflict. The government has attempted to place the blame on rebel forces, accusing them of confiscating and hoarding food sources.
Central to the Syrian diet is bread – since the start of the crisis, 50% of Syria’s public bakeries have been damaged. Bread prices have increased 300% on average, up to 1000% in the areas that have been hit hardest by the war.
Severe malnutrition reported
Recently, UNICEF aid forces were allowed into the besieged Syrian town of Madaya, a city with a population of 42,000, after reports of severe malnutrition. A number of international aid agencies entered the area with medical teams, medical supplies, and food (particularly wheat).
There have been 32 deaths caused by starvation in just the past month. Severe malnutrition was particularly seen among children – while not representative of the entire population, 88% of children screened by UNICEF and the World Health Organization in Madaya showed signs of moderate to severe malnutrition. These life-threatening conditions have already led to death for many.
Effects of malnutrition
While there are now aid agencies in the city of Madaya, the consequences of prolonged starvation may not be easily remedied. Reports have shown that every two or three days a child dies of starvation, as even hospitals lack the food and medicine necessary to save them.
Pregnant women and children are the most in danger of malnutrition. If children do not receive proper nutrition before and immediately after birth, their brain function and development will be severely stunted, and future care will likely never help a child recover from this lack of nutrition.
Reports have shown that people in Madaya have resorted to eating grass, leaves, and cats. Parents have resorted to giving children sleeping pills to calm their hunger. Adults and children risk being hit by sniper fire or stray bullets as they forage for any remaining food, plants and shrubs.
The consequences of the war continue to harm innocent children and their families. Aid must not be denied to them, as nutrition is essential for their healthy development, livelihood and well-being.
Written by : Katie Krakow Internal Proofreading by: Olivier Soret External Proofreading by: Faiz Kermani |
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-madaya-idUSKCN0UT0UH
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/world/syria-children-dying-hunger/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/madaya-syria-child-starvation-1.3405688
http://www.euronews.com/2015/09/16/syria-child-malnutrition-now-serious-unicef/
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/news-and-comment/news/2014-09/syrias-children-risk-malnutrition
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/15/severe-malnutrition-confirmed-among-children-madaya-syria
http://www.dw.com/en/unicef-condemns-war-crime-of-starvation-in-report-on-besieged-syrian-town/a-18982088
