The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) yesterday launched an urgent appeal to the international community to assume its responsibilities and take immediate steps to end the siege on Madaya and Zabadani in Syria and on Taiz, Yemen.
In a statement the organisation stressed on the need to allow “access for humanitarian aid, bring unhindered relief to citizens, and ensure that the aid reaches every area under siege both in Syria and Yemen.”
The OIC has been following with deep concern the critical humanitarian situation which has claimed the lives of hundreds of people due to starvation and disease, the statement said, adding that it making every effort to ensure an early end to this tragedy.
“The blockade and starvation inflicted upon the peaceful citizens in Syria and Yemen amount to war crimes and the citizens need to be protected against the woes of armed conflicts,” it added.
According to the statement: “OIC General Secretariat is following the announcements made on understandings reached to facilitate the access of humanitarian aid to the people under siege in Syria and Yemen, and urges the international community, the OIC Member States and humanitarian organisations across the world, to extend every form of assistance and support to the blockaded cities of Madaya and Zabadani in Syria and Taiz in Yemen.”
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said as many as 23 patients have died of hunger at the health centre supported by the aid organisation in Madaya since 1 December.
The Yemeni city of Taiz has been suffering from a suffocating siege imposed by forces loyal to Houthi rebels and militias loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
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