Eastern Aleppo down to "last food rations" - UNNovember 10, 2016 - 18:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The last remaining food rations are currently being handed out in Syria's rebel-held eastern Aleppo and there will be nothing left to distribute next week without a resupply, the UN said Thursday, November 11, according to AFP. United Nations aid convoys have not reached the besieged eastern part of Aleppo since July, when regime forces cut off the last supply route. "The reports we have now from within East Aleppo is that the last food rations are being distributed as we speak," the head of a UN-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, Jan Egeland, told journalists. Egeland insisted that, with winter approaching, the need to avoid mass starvation would force all sides -- including the regime, its key ally Russia and the rebels -- to grant humanitarian access. "I don't think anybody wants a quarter of a million people to be starving in east Aleppo," Egeland said, referring to the number of civilians the UN says are living under siege. Egeland said he was confident access would be possible after four months of deadlock because "the consequences of no help and no supplies will be so catastrophic I cannot even see that scenario". The UN official also warned that the incoming cold weather will be "a real killer" and said the UN urgently needed approval for its eastern Aleppo relief plan. The plan includes the delivery of both medical and food supplies as well as medical evacuations and deployment of medical personnel. While the UN has mostly blamed President Bashar Assad's government for blocking access to the battleground area, rebel commanders have reportedly also failed to provide essential security guarantees. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. |