UN Agency: Deaths from Starvation Appearing in Syria

UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said on Monday that at least fifteen deaths from starvation have been documented in Syria. Although not unexpected given the vast carnage and destruction caused by the civil war that is nearing its third year, nevertheless the announcement signals a new humanitarian threat that can grow to devastating proportions. The deaths referenced occurred in the Yarmuk refugee camp in Damascus, where 20,000 out of the population of 170,000 Palestinians are residing. UNRWA officials say their relief workers have not had access to the camp since September because of the violence and the closure by troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad who have been trying to take over the area from rebel control for a full year. UN workers estimate that 500,000 Palestinians have been driven from their homes but remain trapped inside Syria.