Tuesday, February 25, 2014

These Photos Of Yarmouk Show Some Of The Devastation Of The Syrian War

A neighborhood that was once home to the largest community of Palestinians in Syria now lies in ruins. Aid has started to trickle in, but violence threatens to once more cut off the tens of thousands who remain stranded in Yarmouk.

What was once a bustling neighborhood of 180,000 just south of Damascus is now devastated. Workers with the United Nations say approximately 20,000 people remain, most with no water or electricity.

UNRWA Photos

Yarmouk was established in 1957 as an unofficial refugee camp and was once home to the largest community of Palestinians in Syria. It was under siege by the Syrian regime from July 2013 to Jan 30, when UN workers were first able to enter and deliver aid.

Yarmouk was established in 1957 as an unofficial refugee camp and was once home to the largest community of Palestinians in Syria. It was under siege by the Syrian regime from July 2013 to Jan 30, when UN workers were first able to enter and deliver aid.

UNRWA Photos

Families in Yarmouk said that 85 people died of starvation during the six month siege. Women died in childbirth, unable to reach medical facilities, and families said they resorted to eating herbs boiled in water and animal feed.

Families in Yarmouk said that 85 people died of starvation during the six month siege. Women died in childbirth, unable to reach medical facilities, and families said they resorted to eating herbs boiled in water and animal feed.

UNRWA Photos

"It is impossible not to be touched by the apocalyptic scenes emerging from the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk near Damascus," Chris Gunness, a spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), told BuzzFeed.

"It is impossible not to be touched by the apocalyptic scenes emerging from the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk near Damascus," Chris Gunness, a spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), told BuzzFeed.