Urgent appeal to save those in the devastated city of Douma - Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
about an hour ago
The city of Douma is still suffering from the military operations that began on the 21st of this month, the bombardment by regime forces is considered the most violent Douma has seen since the start of the uprising. Tens of civilians have been killed, hundreds injured. This is accompanied by a choking blockade on the city, implemented on all neighbourhoods and streets in the city. The residents of Douma are suffering from an extreme humanitarian crisis, they lack the basic necessities of existence, there is an acute shortage of bread, gas and medical equipment. Water and electricity have been cut off. It is also near impossible to travel to procure these needs. Residents in the shelters have been unable to cook food since the beginning of the military campaign.
More than 100 families in the city have been forced to seek refuge in shelters. the families comprise mainly of women, children, the elderly and those that are physically and mentally handicapped. The majority of men in the city have either fled, those that remained have been detained by the Syrian forces, some have been summarily executed if they were suspected of being political activists or wanted by the authorities. The families are living in fear amid the conflict in the city, they lack the basic necessities of existence
The medical situation in the city is very tragic. Medical care has become non-existent after Syrian forces took over the main hospital in the city, which was used to medicate the injured, they destroyed the hospitals contents. There are no alternative field hospitals in the area. The doctors, medical staff and first-aid activists have either been detained or have fled the city, in fear of detention or being summarily executed because of their activities. There are dozens of injured in the shelters, they need urgent medical attention. Many of those injured have died due to the negligence. There are some wounded on the streets that people have been unable to reach because of the spread of snipers around the city.
We urgently call on all humanitarian and relief organisations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent, to send medical staff and equipment to the city of Douma to assist and transfer those wounded by the constant bombardment of the city. We demand that all humanitarian organisations put pressure to stop this brutal assault on civilians in the city of Douma, which can turn into a humanitarian catastrophe if the situation continues as it is.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Syrian-Observatory-for-Human-Rights/121855461256134
(FB)
