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October 31, 2017

Syria: U.N. Convoy Delivers Aid to Starving Syrians in Damascus Suburb
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In Syria, a United Nations convoy reached the besieged Damascus suburb
of Ghouta Monday, carrying aid for tens of thousands of residents at
risk of famine from a stifling government siege. This is Mark Lowcock,
the U.N.'s humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

Mark Lowcock: "An alarming number of child malnutrition cases have been
recorded there, and more than 400 people with health problems require
medical evacuation. I join the call of the World Food Program and others
for unimpeded humanitarian access."

The U.N. said its shipment will provide relief to about 40,000 people-a
small fraction of the estimated 350,000 Syrians in the area who've seen
food, fuel and medicine cut off since government forces blocked access
to smuggling tunnels earlier this year.


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