Besieged Madaya: Gov’t Aid Sold off by Militant Traders

Local Editor

As a UN humanitarian convoy reached the besieged town of Madaya, journalists reported that though they managed to escape the blockade, militants are still controlling most of the town's resources and sold them food at "inflated prices."

On Monday, the small town on the Lebanese border in southern Syria received 44 trucks which contained food, various medicines and blankets as part of an agreement between the UN and the Syrian government.

A local woman told media: "We're happy we managed to escape the blockade, but my parents are stuck here. We don't have money or friends, we only hope the government helps."

One of the problems the besieged town faced was the despotism of the militants who took over the city. Locals explained that they repeatedly confiscated humanitarian aid and sold it off at higher prices.

"The prices rose so high... militants sold us humanitarian aid at inflated prices. A kilogram of rice cost $250," locals said.

They further added: "Of course, the blockade was in the interest of traders, not the government. The government sent us aid, but we never got it, because it was sold off."

People in Madaya are in desperate need of medical help. "I am ill... but there were no medical facilities here at all," one woman said. "I can hardly stand on my feet."

In the meantime, UN ambassadors asked the Syrian government to allow an airlift of 400 people from the town.

In the context, the ambassador of New Zealand, Gerard van Bohemen, told reporters: "They need medical evacuation on an urgent basis tonight and they want permission from the government of Syria to lift those people out."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team