OCHA warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in isolated Kobani
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Saturday that the city of Kobani in northern Syria has been cut off from the outside world, with civilians facing growing shortages of essential supplies.
Earlier in the day, Hadiya Abdullah, co-chair of the Kurdish Red Crescent (KRC), told North Press that four children had died in Kobani due to extreme cold following a snowstorm that hit the area late Thursday night.
In a report published on its official website, OCHA said humanitarian partners operating in Kobani are increasingly concerned about the risk of a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
“All roads connecting to Kobani are currently closed,” OCHA said, adding that power, water, and internet outages are preventing residents from accessing basic services.
The UN agency reported that “Humanitarian partners have started to report shortages of food and other key items.” While health facilities remain operational, there are reports of medicine shortages.
OCHA said UN teams are holding discussions with authorities in Aleppo on ways to provide possible support and stressed that the United Nations and its partners are coordinating with local actors and authorities to carry out further assessments and facilitate humanitarian access.
According to the report, the UN and its partners continue to deliver humanitarian assistance following recent clashes in Aleppo, Raqqa, Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor.
It added that the World Health Organization and its partners are providing medical supplies, mobile nutrition services, and life-saving care for the wounded, children, and pregnant women.