Humanitarian Aid Arrives In Besieged Syrian Towns

Syrian Red Crescent aid convoys carrying food, medicine, and blankets leave the capital, Damascus, as they head to the besieged town of Madaya on January 11.

Humanitarian aid has arrived at the besieged Syrian town of Madaya, where aid groups say residents are starving to death.

Emergency food supplies had been due to be sent to the rebel-held town on January 10 but the operation was delayed.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Syria said aid would arrive in Madaya and two northern towns besieged by rebels, Foua and Kefraya, on January 11. Later in the day, reports said shipments had reached Madaya.

There are about 40,000 people in Madaya, near Lebanon's border, with residents said to be eating pets and grass to survive.

The medical charity Doctor Without Borders (MSF) warned that Madaya needed a constant supply of aid, not just a single delivery.

MSF warned on January 10 that residents were suffering from continuing starvation and shortages of medical supplies.

Based on reporting by dpa and BBC