Crisis in Aleppo: Syrians need critical humanitarian aid

"We were starving in east Aleppo, we had to leave."

Hunger finally drove 16-year-old Mohammad and his family to abandon their home in embattled east Aleppo, dodging snipers' bullets as they ran for their lives. They join an estimated 40,000 Syrians trying to escape eastern Aleppo as a ferocious battle for control intensifies.

Prior to Syria's conflict, Aleppo was the country's largest city and commercial hub. Now it's in ruins and families are left hungry, cold and pleading for their safety.

UNHCR has been on the ground since the beginning, and are now scaling up their humanitarian response to meet the needs of the newly displaced, as well as those previously displaced in western Aleppo. Food, water and protection services are desperately needed, but the biggest obstacle right now during this urgent crisis is access to humanitarian aid for the newly displaced.

In order to access humanitarian aid, citizens need a clear path to safety. Families trapped in eastern Aleppo should be allowed safe access and be allowed to evacuate. All parties should abide by international humanitarian law, and those families forced to flee should be able to move under protection, with respect and dignity.

How can you help? By signing this petition, you make it clear to all those involved — including those suffering in Aleppo right now — that the world is watching. We must shine a light on Aleppo to ensure unfettered humanitarian access.

Please sign and share the petition to stand in solidarity with Aleppo today.