Aid Convoy Workers Detail ‘Heartbreaking’ Scene in Syrian Town

Residents from the besieged Syrian town of Madaya finally found some relief as the aid convoy rolled in with food, medical supplies and other necessities on Monday.

The aid workers involved with the delivery have opened up about the situation inside of Madaya, stating the conditions were "heartbreaking." Madaya, which has a population of about 40,000, is currently under the control of pro-government forces, who have claimed that the reports of malnutrition and starvation were false.

"It's really heartbreaking to see the situation of the people," Pawel Krysiek with the International Committee of the Red Cross said reported by Reuters. "A while ago I was just approached by a little girl and her first question was did you bring food....we are really hungry."

A local doctor had told Elizabeth Hoff, a representative with the World Health Organization (WHO) who made the trip with the convoy, that about 300 to 400 people need special medical attention. Patients were also reportedly being treated outdoors due to the lack of space.

"I am really alarmed," Hoff, who is based in Damascus, said via the phone. "People gathered in the market place. You could see many were malnourished, starving. They were skinny, tired, severely distressed. There was no smile on anybody's face. It is not what you see when you arrive with a convoy. The children I talked to said they had no strength to play."

She added, "I sent an immediate request to authorities for more supplies to be brought in. We are asking for mobile clinics and medical teams to be dispatched."

The convoy, which contained a month's worth of food and medical items, was allowed to enter the town after receiving permission from the Syrian government. The last time that aid was delivered to Madaya was in October.

Hoff added that at least 300 people were allowed to leave Madaya and make the trip to Damascucs with government forces. The United Nations stated that the trucks with the convoy did not take anyone with them.

Two other aid convoys were sent to two loyal towns located in the Idlib Province. The towns, al Foua and Kefraya, are controlled by rebel leaders.

Diplomats from Western nations have accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for using starvation as a tool in the Syrian Civil War. These experts believe that the government is practicing "grotesque starve-or-surrender tactics."

Another convoy is expected to arrive in Madaya on Thursday. The WHO has reportedly asked the Syrian government for permission to send medical teams and mobile clinics into Madaya.