SYRIAN refugee families in Aberystwyth have led a show of solidarity with a besieged community in their homeland.

On Saturday, 2 December, a number of the Syrian residents of Aberystwyth, together with friends and supporters, held a ‘Siege Soup’ event to raise awareness of the situation in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus.

The group spoke to shoppers about the living conditions in Eastern Ghouta, where the residents have been under siege for years but with bombardment intensifying in recent weeks.

The siege has prevented urgent medical supplies from entering the enclave. Many children are known to be suffering from extreme malnutrition and urgently need access to clean sanitation, food and medical services.

Over 100 people have signed an open letter to Ben Lake MP, asking him to urgently raise the matter in Parliament and with the Foreign Office.

Jomana Hasan Shtiwy, event organiser, said: “Every day we see and follow the situation in Eastern Ghouta and we feel helpless.

“We held this solidarity event to raise awareness, and to show the besieged people that we are with them and we don’t forget their suffering.

“We are so lucky to be in Aberystwyth, people are so friendly and support us."

Mr Lake said: “The situation in Eastern Ghouta is catastrophic. Immediate and unimpeded humanitarian aid is urgently needed. I shall be raising this in Parliament and urging the UK Government to take action as a matter of urgency.”

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