UN says has reports of starvation in Syria's Deir Al-Zor

Reuters , Saturday 16 Jan 2016

Madaya
A handout image made available by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)on January 12, 2016 shows a relief convoy carrying aid entering the besieged Syrian town of Madaya. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent said 44 trucks loaded with food and other aid entered the rebel-held town, while 21 other trucks went to the government-controlled towns of Fuaa and Kafraya. (Photo: AFP)

The United Nations has unverified reports that 15-20 people died of starvation in the Syrian city of Deir Al-Zor in 2015, where 200,000 people face sharply deteriorating conditions and a severe food shortage, it said in a report published on Saturday.

The western part of the city has been under siege by Islamic State (ISIS) group militants since last March. There have been no flights into the airport except by helicopter since September, no electricity for more than 10 months and water is only available for three hours a week, the UN report said.

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