A glimmer of hope as aid makes its way to Eastern Ghouta

In recent weeks, the situation for the tens of thousands of people living in Eastern Ghouta has reached a breaking point. 

Following a spike in hostilities in November, families have been living under near-constant shelling. Many have resorted to hiding in shelters underground in a desperate attempt to stay alive – with little food to sustain them.

Today's joint 46-truck convoy, with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the United Nations, will hopefully provide some relief. Aid includes food parcels, flour, and medical supplies for 27,500 people.

NOW: We’re entering #EasternGhouta with @SYRedCrescent and @UN.

With thousands in need of life-saving aid, today’s 46-truck convoy will provide some relief. Aid includes food parcels for 27,500 people, flour bags, and medical supplies. #Syria pic.twitter.com/5QA2GwivAY

— ICRC Syria (@ICRC_sy) March 5, 2018 

Last week, the ICRC called for immediate access to Eastern Ghouta. "Wounded victims are dying only because they cannot be treated in time. In some areas of Ghouta, entire families have no safe place to go," said Marianne Gasser, the ICRC's head of delegation in Syria. 

Words cannot capture the extent of human suffering and despair. We @ICRC ask for immediate humanitarian access to #EasternGhouta. #Syria. https://t.co/XcbLZzwrrS

— Robert Mardini (@RMardiniICRC) February 21, 2018