By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria-On Thursday, a food convoy entered the besieged Syrian Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp.  Dozens have died within the camp due to food and medicine shortages, declared the United Nations.

“1,028 food rations had been delivered to the camp south of Damascus, in a modest launch of the rescue operation.  Each ration is enough to keep a family of eight going for 10 days,” stated UN Palestinian refugee agency spokesman Chris Gunness.

“We hope to continue and increase substantially the amount of aid being delivered because the numbers of those needing assistance is in the tens of thousands, including 18,000 Palestinians, among them women and children,” stated Gunness.

Initial deliveries into the camp have been reported as “chaotic scenes” while the food was being distributed.  The last delivery of food occurred on January 21, when the UN Palestinian refugee agency sent in 138 food parcels.

SANA, the Syrian state news agency, also reported on the aid distribution.  “New food aid has entered Yarmuk camp, with the application of a peaceful, popular initiative supported by the Syrian government to alleviate the suffering of the residents surrounded in the camp, taken hostage by armed terrorist groups,” it said.

Hostilities have been steadily growing in the Yarmuk camp as at least 86 people have died in recent months due to starvation or lack of medical care.

The camp is principally controlled by rebel forces and surrounded by a siege since June, making it nearly impossible to get food and medicine into the camp or for residents to leave.  Many residents have reported eating grass, cats, and dogs in order to survive.

At the outset, the camp began as a place for Palestinian refugees, but has since developed into an active district, housing nearly 150,000 Palestinians, as well as numerous Syrians.  However, now only an estimated 18,000 Palestinians remain in the camp, which has been destroyed by fighting.

With the present of the aid, many are hoping that conditions will improve.  “We are encouraged by the delivery of this aid and the cooperation of the parties on the ground,” stated Gunness.

For more information, please see the following: 

Al Jazeera-Chaos as food aid enters Syria’s Yarmouk camp-30 January 2014

Daily Star-Food aid enters Syria’s besieged Yarmuk camp-30 January 2014

Haaretz-Food supplies enter Palestinian camp in Syria-30 January 2014

Naharnet-Food Aid Enters Syria’s Besieged Yarmouk Camp-30 January 2014