HUNDREDS EVACUATED FROM YARMOUK CAMP IN SYRIA

Damascus, 1 Rabiul Akhir 1435/2 Febuary 2014 (MINA) – Aid agencies have evacuated hundreds of people from militant-held Yarmouk camp in the suburb of the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Anwar Raja, a spokesman for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), said the aid group had coordinated with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent on Friday and Saturday to evacuate “hundreds” of Yarmouk residents.

The evacuees were reportedly transported to several government-run hospitals and the one operated by the Red Crescent, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Sunday (2/2)

Government forces have laid a siege to Yarmouk. But they have given relief groups access to the district, which is originally a camp for Palestinian refugees.

Yarmouk houses thousands of people. The residents have been experiencing hard times since foreign-backed militants took control of the camp.

The United Nations said at least 15 people have died from malnutrition there.

Many people have reportedly died in Yarmouk over the past few months because of food and medical shortages in the camp.

On Thursday, Yarmouk received a convoy, containing 1,028 food rations. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the food supplies were the first to enter the camp since January 21.

On January 14, the Palestinian Authority said militants fighting against the Syrian government are blocking aid access to the Yarmouk refugee camp.(T/P012/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)