Trapped REFUGEES Starving to Death
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SUBSCRIPTION SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014 RABI ALTHANI 29, 1435 AH No: 16091 Qaeda plots US nuke leak Spurs restore comeback in raises questions English pride in Afghanistan7 about14 cleanup Europa46 league Trapped refugees starving to death Max 26º 150 Fils Besieged Palestinians cry for help Min 12º BEIRUT: Gaunt, ragged figures fill the streets for as far as the eye can see in the besieged Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk out- side Damascus, where some 40,000 are said to be slowly starving to death. The United Nations distributed shocking images this week of thousands of people, their faces emaciated, desperately flocking to receive food aid that only a few were lucky enough to collect. “We live in a big prison,” said Rami Al-Sayed, a Syrian activist liv- ing in Yarmuk, speaking to AFP via the Internet. “But at least, in a prison, you have food. Here, there’s nothing. We are slowly dying.” “Sometimes, crowds of children stop me on the streets, begging me: ‘For the love of God, we want to eat, give us food.’ But of course, I have no food to give them,” Sayed said. After months of shelling and fierce fighting in and around Yarmuk between rebels and President Bashar Al-Assad’s troops, the camp’s population has shrunk from more than 150,000 to 40,000. Among them are 18,000 Palestinians. Since last summer, the area has been under choking army siege, creating inhumane conditions for its inhabitants. “We’ve been liv- ing off herbs, but these herbs are bitter. Even animals won’t eat them,” said Sayed. “And if you go to the orchards to pick herbs from there, to use them to cook soup, you’ll get sniped.” “The situa- tion is really tragic. On the streets, all you see are emaciated peo- ple, their faces drained of any life. Sadness is everywhere,” said Sayed. Even the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinians was overwhelmed by the drama. Since January, the agency has only been able to carry out limited, intermittent food distribution in the camp. ALEPPO: A Syrian rebel fighter Tawfiq Hassan, 23, a former butcher, pos- ‘Let us out, or let us die’ es for a picture, after returning from fighting against Syrian army forces “Gaunt, ragged figures of all ages fill the streets of the devastat- in Aleppo. After years of turning a blind eye, Saudi Arabia is enacting ed camp for as far as the eye can see,” UNRWA said, adding that new laws and backing a nationwide campaign to keep its citizens from such scenes were the agency’s “daily reality.” “Humanitarian need joining Syria’s civil war - sending a clear message they are not welcome has reached profound levels of desperation. Hunger and anxiety home if they do. (Inset) A woman cries as residents wait to receive food are etched on the faces of the waiting multitudes.” Since January, parcels from the UN agency in Syria’s besieged Yarmuk Palestinian UNRWA has distributed only 7,500 food parcels in Yarmuk, describ- refugee camp. — AP\ AFP ing that as “a drop in the ocean compared with the rising tide of need.” One parcel feeds a family of between five and eight for 10 days. “Yesterday only 10 percent of people here received assis- tance,” said Sayed. Ali Zoya, a Palestinian living in Yarmuk, said “the aid will only Moscow, West face last a few days.” Much of the camp has been reduced to rubble by shelling, fighting and occasional aerial bombardment. The distribu- tion only began after rebels from outside the camp agreed to with- draw, following a deal reached with Palestinian factions. The lack of off as Ukraine boils food in Yarmuk is compounded by medical shortages. “In the hos- pitals, there are wounded people who cannot be treated because there are no doctors or medicines,” said Sayed. “I saw a young man Gunmen seize airports with a shrapnel wound to his leg. He won’t get better until he is able to leave the camp,” which is still under siege even though the SIMFEROPOL: Armed men took con- la of Crimea, the only region with an is based. A serviceman at the scene rebels have withdrawn. trol of two airports in the Crimea ethnic Russian majority and the last confirmed to Reuters he was from the Since October, more than 100 people have died from food and region yesterday in what the new major bastion of resistance to the over- Black Sea Fleet and said they were medical shortages, says to the Syrian Observatory for Human Ukrainian leadership described as an throw of the Moscow-backed leader. there to stop the kind of protests that Rights. After a visit on Tuesday, UNRWA chief Filippo Grandi invasion and occupation by Moscow’s More than 10 Russian military heli- ousted Yanukovich in Kiev. The fleet described the “shocking” conditions of life he witnessed in Yarmuk. forces, and ousted President Viktor copters flew into Ukrainian airspace denied its forces were involved in seiz- He compared the people flocking to the distribution point as “the Yanukovich reappeared in Russia after yesterday over Crimea, Kiev’s border ing one of the airports, Interfax news appearance of ghosts.” Their despair echoes that of families who a week on the run. Yanukovich said guard service said, accusing Russian agency reported, while a supporter were trapped in rebel-held areas of the central city of Homs for Russia should use all means at its dis- servicemen of blockading one of its described the armed group at the oth- more than 18 months, also under a tight army siege imposed to posal to stop the chaos in Ukraine as units in the port city of Sevastopol, er site as Crimean militiamen. turn people against Syria’s nearly three-year revolt. “People here tension rose on the Black Sea peninsu- where part of Moscow’s Black Sea fleet Continued on Page 8 are completely exhausted,” said Sayed. “They feel tortured. They say: ‘Let us out, or let us die.’” — AFP LOCAL SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014 Duo in police net for jewelry theft Bedoon held for murder attempt By Hanan Al-Saadoun over and the latter was accordingly arrested. KUWAIT: Nugra criminal detectives recently Drug traders arrested a non-Kuwait and an Arab national Three citizens were arrested with the pos- for selling stolen golden jewelry, said security session of drugs, said security sources noting sources yesterday. Case papers indicate that a that one of them was found already wanted non-Kuwaiti was arrested while he was trying for a five-year jail sentences. to sell stolen golden jewelry at a Salmiya jew- elry shop. He led the police to his accomplice; Infiltration attempt KUWAIT: The stolen items confiscated from the duo yesterday. an Arab national. Both suspects confessed Border security forces recently arrested 19 that they had committed seven robberies and people for cutting through the border barbed stolen many valuable items such as diamonds, wires at the northern and southern border KRCS pledges more aid golden jewelry and expensive watches. They areas. also said that they sold some of the items and used the money for buying two vehicles and Naval exercise for Syrian refugees drugs. A case was filed and the suspects were With two interception speedboats referred to relevant authorities. onboard, Coastguard vessel ‘Warba’ recently BEIRUT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society is planning during which the society has distributed bread to sailed out of Sabah Al-Ahmed Coastguard a new relief operation to aid hundreds of thou- the refugees and has offered kidney dialysis for Murder attempt Base heading to King Abdul Aziz port, Saudi sands of Syrians taking up refuge in Lebanon, those in need for the treatment among them. A bedoon was arrested and detained at Arabia to take part in the Gulf Peace 4 drill announced the society delegate here. He affirmed that the Kuwaiti philanthropic Taima police station for attempted murder, that is due to be held jointly with KSA and The KRCS will launch, very soon, a new relief association would do its best and carry on with said security sources yesterday. Case papers Bahrain from March 2 to 6. The delegation, campaign to secure for the refugees food pack- the relief action to help those who fled the vio- indicate that a bedoon sustained several seri- headed by Abdul Rahamn Al-Rasheedi, was ages, clothing and housing, said Dr Musaed Al- lence in Syria. The KRCS, along with Kuwaiti chari- ous bone fractures when he was run over at seen off by MOI’s assistant undersecretary for Enezi, the society delegate to Lebanon in a state- ties and donors, has been aiding the Syrian Khuwaisat desert. The injured accused border security, Maj Gen Sheikh Mohammed ment. refugees in Lebanon and other countries neigh- another bedoon of deliberately running him Al-Yousif Al-Sabah. Al-Enezi has just concluded a visit to Lebanon boring Syria.—KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014 Jobseekers attracted to strong brands’ companies Strong online presence needed DUBAI: ‘What Makes a Company an and simple, but also promote a positive ties for professionals to do their best Attractive Place to Work?’, a poll recently brand image. The recently-launched while leading them on a successful conducted by Bayt.com, the region’s Bayt.com Company Profiles is a great career path is most appealing to 19.7% number one job site, has revealed that way for employers to increase their of polled professionals; companies that companies should market themselves to attractiveness among jobseekers. provide training and development jobseekers as great places to work.