UNICEF confirms severe malnutrition in Syria's besieged Madaya
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UN children's fund UNICEF on Friday confirmed cases of severe malnutrition among children in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya, where aid was delivered this week to thousands of people affected by the months-long blockade.
"UNICEF ... can confirm that cases of severe malnutrition were found among children," it said in a statement, after the United Nations and Red Cross entered the town on Monday and Thursday to deliver aid for the first time since October. Dozens of deaths from starvation have been reported by monitoring groups, local doctors, and aid agencies from Madaya, which is besieged by Syrian pro-government forces. UNICEF said that out of 25 children under the age of five screened by its staff and the World Health Organisation, 22 showed signs of "moderate to severe" malnutrition.
