New clashes in blockaded area of Damascus halt aid

UNWRA calls on all parties to ‘immediately allow’ resumption of aid to Yarmouk refugee camp

By AP 3 March 2014, 2:37 pm

Edit

Civilians walk past vehicles destroyed by fighting between rebels and Syrian troops in the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in south Damascus, Syria, in 2012. (photo credit: AP)

DAMASCUS, Syria — A UN spokesman says the latest clashes that erupted in a blockaded area of the Syrian capital have disrupted efforts to distribute food to thousands of people there.

UNWRA spokesman Chris Gunness issued a statement on Monday, calling on all warring parties in the city’s Palestinian-dominated Yarmouk to “immediately allow” the resumption of aid to the area.

For nearly a year, forces loyal to President Bashar Assad have prevented food distribution and medical aid to tens of thousands of Yarmouk residents. As a result, over 100 people have died of hunger or hunger-related illnesses.

The UN began distributing food to Yarmouk in January but those efforts have been frequently hindered by violence.

Syrian officials and activists in Yarmouk say the latest clashes, which erupted on Sunday, are the most serious yet to bedevil truce efforts and food distribution.