EMERGENCY AID FOR STARVING CIVILIANS IN SYRIA

Early day motion 931, tabled 11 January 2016 by Roger Godsiff (Labour). Signed by 42 members.

That this House notes with very great concern reports that Syrian civilians in towns including Madaya and Zabadani are being besieged and starved by forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad; regrets the horrendous suffering experienced by these men, women and children, who have been without food for months; further notes with great concern reports that people living in these towns have been forced to eat grass and leaves and kill pets; notes that people have already died of hunger; notes that Assad's forces have shot and bombed civilians, including children, who try to collect plants or firewood, causing a number of deaths and serious injuries, including the loss of limbs; observes that the UK has the capacity to deliver an aerial bombardment of Syria and therefore also has the capacity to deliver food aid; notes that starving people in these towns have repeatedly asked the international community for help, which has not been given; notes that the Assad regime has agreed to allow the UN to deliver aid, but there is uncertainty about how long this will last; believes that the UK has an urgent duty to respond to these calls and deliver food aid to relieve this appalling suffering; and calls on the Government to act immediately to airdrop food, fuel and medical supplies to these communities.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 24, Labour 7, DUP 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 2, Conservative 1, Liberal Democrat 1, Plaid Cymru 1.