Eastern Aleppo—occupied by Syrian rebels—is facing a food crisis. Residents have no access to even clean water at the moment.
The United Nations estimates that about 13.5 million people in Syria are in need of “‘humanitarian assistance”; the organisation’s last food relief effort went through in August. A more recent shipment plan was rejected by the Syrian government for reasons that are still being investigated.
The UN is not allowed to provide air drops, and will not be able to do so until they’re given a signal from the Syrian government. On September 19, there was an air-strike on an aid convoy and about 18 trucks were hit.
Syrians will have to turn to local markets without this aid. Unfortunately, prices at these markets have skyrocketed as a sense of desperation has been prevailing.
Those living in Aleppo have been provided with “‘humanitarian corridors”’ by the Russians but do not want to leave. Their trust in the Government is low.
Update, December 1st, 2016:
Chances of starvation in Aleppo have risen considerably during the past week. The last round of air strikes (on Saturday) left close to 40 people dead. Stores have closed and food supplies are even more scarce than before. Medical aid is limited, too.
Mosul, in Iraq, faces a similar humanitarian crisis. Water supply has been cut off to 650,000 people in a clash between the Islamic State militants and the Iraqi government (backed by the US). Due to inflation, poor families are finding it increasingly difficult to provide themselves with sufficient amounts of food. Prices are expected to double in the near future.