The International Committee of the Red Cross has warned over Syria’s escalating humanitarian crisis, urging both sides involved to allow humanitarian assistance to reach besieged areas.
ICRC Chief Magne Barth said in a statement on Sunday that half a million people have been wounded across Syria, many of whom lack access to basic healthcare and treatment, AFP reported.
He also said that millions of Syrians have also been internally displaced and tens of thousands detained.
“At least half a million people have been wounded across the country and millions remain displaced and tens of thousands detained,” Barth said.
“The wounded are often not cared for properly and the chronically ill often do not receive the treatment they need,” ICRC chief added.
Barth’s remarks come a day after the UN World Food Program (WFP) said that half of Syria’s population of around 23 million is “food insecure” and nearly a third needs urgent assistance.
“Recent assessments show that almost half the population inside Syria is food insecure and close to 6.3 million people need urgent, life-saving, food assistance,” WFP said in a statement on Monday.
The ICRC said a harsh winter that hit the region earlier than expected this year has added to the “misery” of millions of Syrians displaced inside the country and those in refugee camps in neighboring countries.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since March 2011. According to reports, Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.
According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and a total of 7.8 million of others displaced due to the violence.