OIC Launches an Urgent Appeal for Relief to the People under Siege in Madaya and Zabadani in Syria and Taaez in Yemen

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) launched an urgent appeal to the international community to shoulder its humanitarian responsibility and take immediate necessary steps to put end to the asphyxiating siege laid on Madaya and Zabadani in Syria and Taaez in Yemen, so as to allow access for humanitarian aid, bring unhindered relief to the citizens, and ensure that the aid reaches every area under siege both in Syria and Yemen. The OIC General Secretariat affirmed that it has been following with deep concern the critical humanitarian situation which has claimed the lives of hundreds of people due to starvation and disease. The OIC also stated that its efforts and contacts are ongoing to ensure an early end to this tragedy. The General Secretariat underlined that the blockade and starvation inflected upon the peaceful citizens in Syria and Yemen amount to war crimes and that the citizens need to be protected against the woes of armed conflicts. The OIC General Secretariat is following the announcements made on understandings reached to facilitate the access of humanitarian aid to the people under siege in Syria and Yemen, and it urges the international community, the OIC Member States and humanitarian organizations across the world, to extend every form of assistance and support to the blockaded cities of Madaya and Zabadani in Syria and Taaez in Yemen.