Aleppo in ‘humanitarian crisis’, says Syrian opposition

Amid the violence and bloodshed in Aleppo, residents are facing a major food shortage.

Humanitarian agencies have been able to deliver some supplies despite the fighting, but more aid is needed.

Rebels in the disputed district of Salaheddine supervise locals queuing outside a bakery.

“Thanks to God we have at least a few things given to us here. We also found some food ourselves. Here, we get bread.” said one man.

The opposition Syrian National Council says Aleppo is facing “a humanitarian crisis” exacerbated by the regime’s siege on the city.

A doctor in one Aleppo hospital said they are treating up to fifty people a day.

He said many victims have been badly mutilated.

“Three days ago, there were 30 wounded people, all of them civilians,” he said. “There were also 20 corpses and half of them just limbs. They were so disfigured we could not identify them.”

The UN’s top humanitarian official, Valerie Amos, said that Aleppo residents “urgently need food, mattresses and blankets, hygiene supplies and drinking water.”

She called for the fighting to stop so that aid agencies could help those in need.

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