Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelan-doctors-demand-government-allow-humanitarian-aid-into-country-196481">blocking humanitarian aid</a> from entering the country is a "crime against humanity."

The warning came Sunday as international aid has taken centre stage in a test of wills between Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro in which Venezuela's armed forces are seen as the pivotal player.

Medicine and food sent by the United States has been blocked for three days on the border in Cucuta, Colombia after Venezuelan soldiers closed a bridge linking the two countries.

On the Venezuelan side of the border, dozens of doctors protested Sunday&nbsp; 
demanding the aid be allowed in -- including surgeon Jose Luis Mateus de la Riva, who accused Maduro of sinking Venezuelan medicine back to the "medieval era."&nbsp;

"There are people responsible for this and the regime should know it," Guaido said after attending Sunday mass with his wife and 20-month-old baby.

"This a crime against humanity, men of the armed forces." Accusing those blocking aid of being "almost genocidal," he likewise warned that the military would be held responsible for the deaths of protesters -- and reaffirmed his call for a mass march on Tuesday in memory of the estimated 40 people killed in disturbances since January 21.

Guaido has offered amnesty for any members of the armed forces who disavows Maduro -- but the military leadership still publicly backs the president.

On Sunday, the Venezuelan military announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until February 15 across the country, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity."

Maduro has rejected humanitarian aid as a US ploy to intervene in Venezuela, calling the deployment of aid a "political show" and blaming US sanctions for the country's widespread shortages of food and medicine.

Guaido countered that the regime was refusing to acknowledge a "crisis that they themselves generated," while Venezuelans were working to deal with the humanitarian emergency.

Speaking to AFP Friday, Guaido vowed to do "whatever necessary" to "stop the usurpation" of power and "save lives" -- without ruling out the possibility of authorizing foreign intervention.

And on Sunday, he said hundreds of volunteers had signed up over the weekend to help bring aid into Venezuela -- with further shipments set to arrive in neighbouring Brazil and on a Caribbean island.

Suffering the worst crisis of its modern history, Venezuelans have had to grapple with life-threatening scarcities amid eye-popping levels of hyperinflation that have rendered salaries and savings worthless.

According to the United Nations, some 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015.

But Guaido on Sunday reiterated that he would not negotiate with Maduro -- as he believes Maduro would use such talks to buy himself time. 
"Democracy is closer than ever before, the future is ours," he said. An international Contact Group, made up of European and Latin American countries, called for snap presidential elections following a meeting in Montevideo this week.

But Maduro, who has asked Pope Francis to act as a mediator, rejected what he said was "bias" by the group.

Last week Maduro also rejected a call by European Union countries to hold elections, prompting them to recognize Guaido.

Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, stunned Venezuela in January by declaring himself interim president after the legislature declared Maduro a "usurper" following his May 2018 reelection in a vote disputed by the opposition and international community.&nbsp;

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country is a "crime against humanity.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country is a "crime against humanity." The warning came Sunday as international aid has taken centre stage in a test of wills between Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro in which Venezuela's armed forces are seen as the pivotal player. Medicine and food sent by the United States has been blocked for three days on the border in Cucuta, Colombia after Venezuelan soldiers closed a bridge linking the two countries. On the Venezuelan side of the border, dozens of doctors protested Sunday demanding the aid be allowed in -- including surgeon Jose Luis Mateus de la Riva, who accused Maduro of sinking Venezuelan medicine back to the "medieval era." "There are people responsible for this and the regime should know it," Guaido said after attending Sunday mass with his wife and 20-month-old baby. "This a crime against humanity, men of the armed forces." Accusing those blocking aid of being "almost genocidal," he likewise warned that the military would be held responsible for the deaths of protesters -- and reaffirmed his call for a mass march on Tuesday in memory of the estimated 40 people killed in disturbances since January 21. Guaido has offered amnesty for any members of the armed forces who disavows Maduro -- but the military leadership still publicly backs the president. On Sunday, the Venezuelan military announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until February 15 across the country, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity." Maduro has rejected humanitarian aid as a US ploy to intervene in Venezuela, calling the deployment of aid a "political show" and blaming US sanctions for the country's widespread shortages of food and medicine. Guaido countered that the regime was refusing to acknowledge a "crisis that they themselves generated," while Venezuelans were working to deal with the humanitarian emergency. Speaking to AFP Friday, Guaido vowed to do "whatever necessary" to "stop the usurpation" of power and "save lives" -- without ruling out the possibility of authorizing foreign intervention. And on Sunday, he said hundreds of volunteers had signed up over the weekend to help bring aid into Venezuela -- with further shipments set to arrive in neighbouring Brazil and on a Caribbean island. Suffering the worst crisis of its modern history, Venezuelans have had to grapple with life-threatening scarcities amid eye-popping levels of hyperinflation that have rendered salaries and savings worthless. According to the United Nations, some 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015. But Guaido on Sunday reiterated that he would not negotiate with Maduro -- as he believes Maduro would use such talks to buy himself time. "Democracy is closer than ever before, the future is ours," he said. An international Contact Group, made up of European and Latin American countries, called for snap presidential elections following a meeting in Montevideo this week. But Maduro, who has asked Pope Francis to act as a mediator, rejected what he said was "bias" by the group. Last week Maduro also rejected a call by European Union countries to hold elections, prompting them to recognize Guaido. Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, stunned Venezuela in January by declaring himself interim president after the legislature declared Maduro a "usurper" following his May 2018 reelection in a vote disputed by the opposition and international community.

Venezuela's opposition leader Guaido warns military on blocked humanitarian aid

The provisions of a humanitarian aid initiated by Washington is a “big lie”, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday (local time), adding that such moves indirectly reflected on the United States’ intention to topple President Nicolas Maduro from power.

In an interview with the Russian Times, the Venezuelan Vice President said, “This [humanitarian assistance] is a big lie.”

Addressing the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in the country, Rodriguez added that Venezuela’s social “wounds” resulted due to the economic “blockade” exerted by the US. In order to put an end to the crisis, the incumbent government of Venezuela needs to enter into a dialogue with the Opposition, a move which is impeded by Donald Trump-led US government, the Vice President added to her statement.

“We say: ‘yes to dialogue’ and ‘no to war’,” Rodriguez said, adding that the South American nation has been facing “total political and ideological rejection” by the US and its allies (over the issue) including the member nations of the European Union (EU), Canada, Colombia and many others.

Rodriguez said that humanitarian aid is just an excuse through which the US wants to enter into Venezuela and further create situations of a coup. She also accused the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-challenging-maduro-through-humanitarian-aid-195434">Opposition led by Juan Guaido</a>, who announced himself as the interim President of the country last month, to be acting upon the orders of Washington.

“Washington believes that [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro should go. Washington’s response is its distorted doctrine of regime change [in] democratic nations that do not like it when someone twists their arms and forcibly interferes into their internal affairs,” Rodriguez explained.

The Vice President noted that the US is creating a “false positive” impression about its own policies against Caracas, which by no means requires any help from Washington, despite reeling from social and economic problems.

Recently, the Venezuelan army had barricaded the Tienditas international bridge on the border with Colombia and blocked trucks and tankers carrying aid from entering into the country.

The remarks by the Venezuelan Vice President came after Guaido told AFP last week that he could “authorize” a foreign military intervention into the country to topple President Maduro.

According to reports, President Maduro, many times since the crisis began in January has called for dialogue with the Opposition but was turned down repeatedly.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Guaido has been recognised as the legitimate Head of the State by the US and the EU.&nbsp;

The provisions of a humanitarian aid initiated by Washington is a “big lie”, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday (local time), adding that such moves indirectly reflected on the United States’ intention to topple President Nicolas Maduro from power.

The provisions of a humanitarian aid initiated by Washington is a “big lie”, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday (local time), adding that such moves indirectly reflected on the United States’ intention to topple President Nicolas Maduro from power. In an interview with the Russian Times, the Venezuelan Vice President said, “This [humanitarian assistance] is a big lie.” Addressing the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in the country, Rodriguez added that Venezuela’s social “wounds” resulted due to the economic “blockade” exerted by the US. In order to put an end to the crisis, the incumbent government of Venezuela needs to enter into a dialogue with the Opposition, a move which is impeded by Donald Trump-led US government, the Vice President added to her statement. “We say: ‘yes to dialogue’ and ‘no to war’,” Rodriguez said, adding that the South American nation has been facing “total political and ideological rejection” by the US and its allies (over the issue) including the member nations of the European Union (EU), Canada, Colombia and many others. Rodriguez said that humanitarian aid is just an excuse through which the US wants to enter into Venezuela and further create situations of a coup. She also accused the Opposition led by Juan Guaido, who announced himself as the interim President of the country last month, to be acting upon the orders of Washington. “Washington believes that [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro should go. Washington’s response is its distorted doctrine of regime change [in] democratic nations that do not like it when someone twists their arms and forcibly interferes into their internal affairs,” Rodriguez explained. The Vice President noted that the US is creating a “false positive” impression about its own policies against Caracas, which by no means requires any help from Washington, despite reeling from social and economic problems. Recently, the Venezuelan army had barricaded the Tienditas international bridge on the border with Colombia and blocked trucks and tankers carrying aid from entering into the country. The remarks by the Venezuelan Vice President came after Guaido told AFP last week that he could “authorize” a foreign military intervention into the country to topple President Maduro. According to reports, President Maduro, many times since the crisis began in January has called for dialogue with the Opposition but was turned down repeatedly. Meanwhile, Guaido has been recognised as the legitimate Head of the State by the US and the EU.

Humanitarian aid is a big lie: Venezuelan Vice President

Venezuela's opposition leader<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-the-hell-is-going-on-how-a-tiny-cabal-galvanised-venezuelas-opposition-195987"> Juan Guaido</a> refused Friday to rule out authorising US intervention to force President Nicolas Maduro's hand in allowing in humanitarian aid and leaving power.

Guaido launched an audacious bid to oust <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-revokes-visas-of-venezuelan-lawmakers-seated-by-maduro-195916">Maduro</a> last month, declaring himself acting president, a move recognized by the United States and some 40 countries, including 20 from the European Union.

National Assembly president Guaido told AFP he would do "everything that is necessary... to save human lives," although he acknowledged that American intervention is "a very controversial subject."

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/venezuela-crisis-will-the-us-opt-for-military-intervention-196022">Will the US opt for military intervention in Venezuela?</a>

Earlier, Maduro vowed not to let in "fake humanitarian aid" and claimed Venezuela's crisis has been "fabricated by Washington" to justify intervention.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/venezuela-france-wests-duplicity-196078">Venezuela, France &amp; West's duplicity</a>

Under Maduro's stewardship, Venezuela's economy has collapsed leaving the country wracked by hyperinflation, recession and shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine.

Guaido, 35, is trying to bring in aid from the US but the supplies are stuck in warehouses in Colombia because the Venezuelan military has blocked their entry.

"Venezuela won't allow the spectacle of fake humanitarian aid because we're no one's beggars," Maduro said at a press conference in Caracas.

Guaido says 300,000 people could die if desperately-needed aid isn't brought in.

"We're going to do everything that has a lower social cost, which generates governability and stability to deal with the emergency so we can recover public services," he said.

Military dilemma

Venezuela frequently suffers from power cuts, a lack of running water and public transport, while there is also a shortage of doctors and medical supplies in hospitals.

But bringing in humanitarian aid is crucial to Guaido's challenge to Maduro's authority.

Several trucks carrying food and medicine arrived at a collection centre in the Colombian border town of Cucuta on Thursday.

Venezuelan migrants gathered there to see if they could receive some aid.

However, on the other side of the Tienditas border bridge, Venezuelan troops loyal to Maduro had blocked the road, heightening tensions with Washington.

Guaido, who has appealed to the military to back him, said the armed forces "have a dilemma: either they side with the people in need or with the dictatorship."

He has called for another street protest on Tuesday to keep up the pressure on Maduro, who is backed by China, Russia, Turkey and leftist regional allies Cuba and Bolivia.

Maduro, 56, blames shortages of food and medicine on US sanctions, which mostly target regime individuals as well as state oil company PDVSA.

"Liberate the money that has been blocked and sequestered," said Maduro, who has repeatedly accused the US of fomenting a coup.

"This is a macabre game: we squeeze them by the neck and make them ask for crumbs."

Guaido's representative in Cucuta, Lester Toledo, said the provisions already delivered were the "first drops" and promised "a tsunami of humanitarian aid" would follow.

"We're going to open a humanitarian corridor and the doors to freedom," he told journalists.

Early Wednesday, a Venezuelan military boat carrying 100 tons (tonnes) of aid landed in Havana to help Cubans recovering from the wrath of a tornado.

Maduro 'unable to sustain regime'

Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, aiming to set up a transitional government and hold presidential elections.

He claims his legitimacy from the constitution, but Maduro -- labelled a dictator by the West and his Latin American neighbours -- insists his re-election last year was constitutional.

The US, EU and many Latin American countries branded it a fraud as prominent opposition leaders were unable to stand after being exiled, jailed or barred.

"We'll do everything we have to in a sovereign and autonomous manner to end the usurpation, (establish) the transitional government and (hold) free elections," said Guaido.

Consultants Eurasia Group predicted on Thursday that Maduro "will be unable to sustain his regime."

The socialist leader hit out at European and Latin American ministers who, after meeting in Uruguay on Thursday, urged Maduro to let in aid and called for a new presidential ballot.

The International Contact Group urged "free, transparent and credible presidential elections" in Venezuela "as soon as possible" to find a peaceful solution to the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido.

Maduro, who last weekend rejected an EU ultimatum to organize snap presidential elections, fumed: "You don't listen to the truth in Venezuela. You're deaf... They've taken extremist positions."

He did welcome the Contact Group's proposal to send a mission to Venezuela, though.

The Contact Group chided Maduro over the deaths of 40 opposition protesters last month and told him to respect "the country's institutions, particularly the democratically elected National Assembly."

The opposition-controlled legislature has been powerless since 2016 after it was stripped of its powers by the Supreme Court, made up of regime loyalists.

On Friday, the Supreme Court asked the attorney general's office to investigate alleged "criminal" conduct by Guaido and the legislature over the "usurpation of functions" that correspond to Maduro.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido refused Friday to rule out authorising US intervention to force President Nicolas Maduro's hand in allowing in humanitarian aid and leaving power.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido refused Friday to rule out authorising US intervention to force President Nicolas Maduro's hand in allowing in humanitarian aid and leaving power. Guaido launched an audacious bid to oust Maduro last month, declaring himself acting president, a move recognized by the United States and some 40 countries, including 20 from the European Union. National Assembly president Guaido told AFP he would do "everything that is necessary... to save human lives," although he acknowledged that American intervention is "a very controversial subject." Also read: Will the US opt for military intervention in Venezuela? Earlier, Maduro vowed not to let in "fake humanitarian aid" and claimed Venezuela's crisis has been "fabricated by Washington" to justify intervention. Also read: Venezuela, France & West's duplicity Under Maduro's stewardship, Venezuela's economy has collapsed leaving the country wracked by hyperinflation, recession and shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine. Guaido, 35, is trying to bring in aid from the US but the supplies are stuck in warehouses in Colombia because the Venezuelan military has blocked their entry. "Venezuela won't allow the spectacle of fake humanitarian aid because we're no one's beggars," Maduro said at a press conference in Caracas. Guaido says 300,000 people could die if desperately-needed aid isn't brought in. "We're going to do everything that has a lower social cost, which generates governability and stability to deal with the emergency so we can recover public services," he said. Military dilemma Venezuela frequently suffers from power cuts, a lack of running water and public transport, while there is also a shortage of doctors and medical supplies in hospitals. But bringing in humanitarian aid is crucial to Guaido's challenge to Maduro's authority. Several trucks carrying food and medicine arrived at a collection centre in the Colombian border town of Cucuta on Thursday. Venezuelan migrants gathered there to see if they could receive some aid. However, on the other side of the Tienditas border bridge, Venezuelan troops loyal to Maduro had blocked the road, heightening tensions with Washington. Guaido, who has appealed to the military to back him, said the armed forces "have a dilemma: either they side with the people in need or with the dictatorship." He has called for another street protest on Tuesday to keep up the pressure on Maduro, who is backed by China, Russia, Turkey and leftist regional allies Cuba and Bolivia. Maduro, 56, blames shortages of food and medicine on US sanctions, which mostly target regime individuals as well as state oil company PDVSA. "Liberate the money that has been blocked and sequestered," said Maduro, who has repeatedly accused the US of fomenting a coup. "This is a macabre game: we squeeze them by the neck and make them ask for crumbs." Guaido's representative in Cucuta, Lester Toledo, said the provisions already delivered were the "first drops" and promised "a tsunami of humanitarian aid" would follow. "We're going to open a humanitarian corridor and the doors to freedom," he told journalists. Early Wednesday, a Venezuelan military boat carrying 100 tons (tonnes) of aid landed in Havana to help Cubans recovering from the wrath of a tornado. Maduro 'unable to sustain regime' Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, aiming to set up a transitional government and hold presidential elections. He claims his legitimacy from the constitution, but Maduro -- labelled a dictator by the West and his Latin American neighbours -- insists his re-election last year was constitutional. The US, EU and many Latin American countries branded it a fraud as prominent opposition leaders were unable to stand after being exiled, jailed or barred. "We'll do everything we have to in a sovereign and autonomous manner to end the usurpation, (establish) the transitional government and (hold) free elections," said Guaido. Consultants Eurasia Group predicted on Thursday that Maduro "will be unable to sustain his regime." The socialist leader hit out at European and Latin American ministers who, after meeting in Uruguay on Thursday, urged Maduro to let in aid and called for a new presidential ballot. The International Contact Group urged "free, transparent and credible presidential elections" in Venezuela "as soon as possible" to find a peaceful solution to the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido. Maduro, who last weekend rejected an EU ultimatum to organize snap presidential elections, fumed: "You don't listen to the truth in Venezuela. You're deaf... They've taken extremist positions." He did welcome the Contact Group's proposal to send a mission to Venezuela, though. The Contact Group chided Maduro over the deaths of 40 opposition protesters last month and told him to respect "the country's institutions, particularly the democratically elected National Assembly." The opposition-controlled legislature has been powerless since 2016 after it was stripped of its powers by the Supreme Court, made up of regime loyalists. On Friday, the Supreme Court asked the attorney general's office to investigate alleged "criminal" conduct by Guaido and the legislature over the "usurpation of functions" that correspond to Maduro.

Venezuela's Guaido won't rule out US intervention to force Maduro's hand

Yajaira Gonzalez cries as she gathers with hundreds of other Venezuelans across the Colombian border from her homeland.

A 64-year-old with greying hair, she used to back the socialist regime in her native Venezuela — until her country's economic meltdown forced her to flee.

Now she is begging Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to let through foreign humanitarian aid — food, medicine and personal hygiene gear — to her desperate compatriots back home.

"It is not like you say, that we are doing OK," said Gonzalez, referring to Maduro. "Mr&nbsp;President, we are not OK. We are suffering."

The issue of the US and other foreign aid has become the latest focus in a struggle between Maduro and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-challenging-maduro-through-humanitarian-aid-195434"> national assembly speaker Juan Guaido</a>.

Guaido last month declared himself interim president and is now recognized as such by some 40 countries, led by the United States.

Guaido is in favour of accepting aid. But Maduro says it would be the first step toward a military invasion by the United States — whom the socialist leader blames for the economic crisis.

Gonzalez said she used to be a Chavista, or supporter of Maduro's predecessor, the late socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez — but not anymore.

Suffering from Venezuela's hyperinflation and acute shortages of basic goods, she fled from Venezuela to the city of Villa del Rosario in Colombia.

The United Nations says the crisis has prompted 2.3 million Venezuelans like her to flee their country since 2015.

Bridge blocked&nbsp;

When it was announced that any aid that arrives will be only for Venezuelans living inside their country, ones who had migrated into Colombia gathered at the border to see what they could get.

Meters away from where Gonzalez stands are warehouses that the Colombian government has set up to collect medicine, non-perishable food and hygiene kits financed by the US government. More such aid has been pledged from Brazil and an as yet unidentified Caribbean island.

Maduro has refused to let in the aid.

His military has blocked a border bridge over which the aid could have passed into Venezuela.

Two huge blue freight containers and the rear part of a fuel tanker truck have been placed across all three spans of the Tienditas bridge, which connects Cucuta in Colombia with Urena in Venezuela.&nbsp;

'A friend died '&nbsp;

Around 35,000 people per day continue to use an alternative crossing: old bridge named after South American liberator Simon Bolivar.

On that ageing span, an engineer named Dajelys Lopez trudges along pushing a stroller with her newborn baby, hoping to find in Cucuta what she cannot get in Venezuela.

Her face is marked with the pain of having seen people close to her suffer in the economic crisis.

"Yesterday a friend died because he suffered a seizure and did not have medication to deal with it," Lopez said.

Aid pledges&nbsp;

Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo has said that planes carrying aid for Venezuela have arrived in Colombia.

Washington has pledged $20 million (17.6 million euros) in aid, while Canada has pledged $40 million and the EU $7.5 million.

Colombia and Venezuela have had practically no diplomatic relations since mid-2017. Colombian President Ivan Duque is one of the most outspoken leaders against the Maduro dictatorship.

Duque has led a diplomatic offensive aiming to pressure Maduro to resign and make way for new elections.

Guaido has appealed to the Venezuelan military — a critical source of support for Maduro — to let in the aid.

The standoff will be a key test for the unity of the Venezuelan military high command, which so far has maintained its public backing for Maduro.

Venezuela's army has to choose between "a dictatorship that does not have an iota of humanity, or to side with the constitution", Guaido said in an interview on Colombian radio.

Amid the war of words, life went on as usual at the border, with police on both sides carrying out routine patrols.

Maduro has repeatedly blamed Venezuela's crisis on what he calls an "economic war" against his oil-rich country by the United States.

The US has declined to rule out military intervention.

"I was a Chavista! I was a Chavista!" Gonzalez said, her voice breaking.

"But I want (Maduro) to surrender the presidency so we Venezuelans can live in peace."

Yajaira Gonzalez cries as she gathers with hundreds of other Venezuelans across the Colombian border from her homeland. A 64-year-old with greying hair, she used to back the socialist regime in her native Venezuela — until her country's economic meltdown forced her to flee.

Yajaira Gonzalez cries as she gathers with hundreds of other Venezuelans across the Colombian border from her homeland. A 64-year-old with greying hair, she used to back the socialist regime in her native Venezuela — until her country's economic meltdown forced her to flee. Now she is begging Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to let through foreign humanitarian aid — food, medicine and personal hygiene gear — to her desperate compatriots back home. "It is not like you say, that we are doing OK," said Gonzalez, referring to Maduro. "Mr President, we are not OK. We are suffering." The issue of the US and other foreign aid has become the latest focus in a struggle between Maduro and national assembly speaker Juan Guaido. Guaido last month declared himself interim president and is now recognized as such by some 40 countries, led by the United States. Guaido is in favour of accepting aid. But Maduro says it would be the first step toward a military invasion by the United States — whom the socialist leader blames for the economic crisis. Gonzalez said she used to be a Chavista, or supporter of Maduro's predecessor, the late socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez — but not anymore. Suffering from Venezuela's hyperinflation and acute shortages of basic goods, she fled from Venezuela to the city of Villa del Rosario in Colombia. The United Nations says the crisis has prompted 2.3 million Venezuelans like her to flee their country since 2015. Bridge blocked When it was announced that any aid that arrives will be only for Venezuelans living inside their country, ones who had migrated into Colombia gathered at the border to see what they could get. Meters away from where Gonzalez stands are warehouses that the Colombian government has set up to collect medicine, non-perishable food and hygiene kits financed by the US government. More such aid has been pledged from Brazil and an as yet unidentified Caribbean island. Maduro has refused to let in the aid. His military has blocked a border bridge over which the aid could have passed into Venezuela. Two huge blue freight containers and the rear part of a fuel tanker truck have been placed across all three spans of the Tienditas bridge, which connects Cucuta in Colombia with Urena in Venezuela. 'A friend died ' Around 35,000 people per day continue to use an alternative crossing: old bridge named after South American liberator Simon Bolivar. On that ageing span, an engineer named Dajelys Lopez trudges along pushing a stroller with her newborn baby, hoping to find in Cucuta what she cannot get in Venezuela. Her face is marked with the pain of having seen people close to her suffer in the economic crisis. "Yesterday a friend died because he suffered a seizure and did not have medication to deal with it," Lopez said. Aid pledges Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo has said that planes carrying aid for Venezuela have arrived in Colombia. Washington has pledged $20 million (17.6 million euros) in aid, while Canada has pledged $40 million and the EU $7.5 million. Colombia and Venezuela have had practically no diplomatic relations since mid-2017. Colombian President Ivan Duque is one of the most outspoken leaders against the Maduro dictatorship. Duque has led a diplomatic offensive aiming to pressure Maduro to resign and make way for new elections. Guaido has appealed to the Venezuelan military — a critical source of support for Maduro — to let in the aid. The standoff will be a key test for the unity of the Venezuelan military high command, which so far has maintained its public backing for Maduro. Venezuela's army has to choose between "a dictatorship that does not have an iota of humanity, or to side with the constitution", Guaido said in an interview on Colombian radio. Amid the war of words, life went on as usual at the border, with police on both sides carrying out routine patrols. Maduro has repeatedly blamed Venezuela's crisis on what he calls an "economic war" against his oil-rich country by the United States. The US has declined to rule out military intervention. "I was a Chavista! I was a Chavista!" Gonzalez said, her voice breaking. "But I want (Maduro) to surrender the presidency so we Venezuelans can live in peace."

At Colombia border, Venezuelans hunger for aid

The head of the National Constituent Assembly of Venezuela warned on Wednesday of an "irregular war" if the United States intervenes to remove its president from power.

Diosdado Cabello's statement came during his weekly television program in response to US Senator Marco Rubio, who criticised the Venezuelan government's decision to block Tienditas Bridge to Colombia that day, saying it was preventing food and life-saving medicine from reaching Venezuelans.&nbsp;

"I'm going to tell you, Marco Rubio, if you're making fun of us because we put some containers [on the bridge], if you come, there will be an irregular war. Prepare for what’s to come," Cabello said.

He also said the government of President Nicolas Maduro blocked the bridge because "in Venezuelan territory" it can do whatever it likes.

The Venezuelan opposition deputy Franklyn Duarte reported that the bridge was blocked by Army personnel on the presumption that through this road Venezuela would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-military-blocks-humanitarian-aid-shipment-195568">receive aid to alleviate the humanitarian emergency in the country</a>, a crisis which the Maduro government denies.

Parliament head and self-proclaimed national <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-challenging-maduro-through-humanitarian-aid-195434">president Juan Guaido</a> said that blocking the bridge is "an absurd reaction by a regime that is not interested in the public."

"We're going to do everything possible so that this aid can come in," he added.

The humanitarian aid for Venezuela was requested by the opposition despite the refusal of the Maduro’s government, which believes it could give way to a foreign invasion.

Although it is unclear how the aid for Venezuela is going to enter, the opposition parliament has already said there will be a collection centre in the Colombian city of Cucuta, bordering Venezuela.

According to the Venezuelan parliament, collection centres in Brazil and on an unnamed island in the Caribbean will also be installed for aid coming from Venezuelan companies abroad, as well as Colombia and the US.

Despite its enormous oil reserves, Venezuela is going through a severe economic crisis that has descended into a nationwide shortage of basic foods and medicines as well as deficient public services.&nbsp;

The Venezuelan government frequently blames the performance of its economy on a war led by the United States together with internal and regional opposition. 
&nbsp;

The head of the National Constituent Assembly of Venezuela warned on Wednesday of an "irregular war" if the United States intervenes to remove its president from power.

The head of the National Constituent Assembly of Venezuela warned on Wednesday of an "irregular war" if the United States intervenes to remove its president from power. Diosdado Cabello's statement came during his weekly television program in response to US Senator Marco Rubio, who criticised the Venezuelan government's decision to block Tienditas Bridge to Colombia that day, saying it was preventing food and life-saving medicine from reaching Venezuelans. "I'm going to tell you, Marco Rubio, if you're making fun of us because we put some containers [on the bridge], if you come, there will be an irregular war. Prepare for what’s to come," Cabello said. He also said the government of President Nicolas Maduro blocked the bridge because "in Venezuelan territory" it can do whatever it likes. The Venezuelan opposition deputy Franklyn Duarte reported that the bridge was blocked by Army personnel on the presumption that through this road Venezuela would receive aid to alleviate the humanitarian emergency in the country, a crisis which the Maduro government denies. Parliament head and self-proclaimed national president Juan Guaido said that blocking the bridge is "an absurd reaction by a regime that is not interested in the public." "We're going to do everything possible so that this aid can come in," he added. The humanitarian aid for Venezuela was requested by the opposition despite the refusal of the Maduro’s government, which believes it could give way to a foreign invasion. Although it is unclear how the aid for Venezuela is going to enter, the opposition parliament has already said there will be a collection centre in the Colombian city of Cucuta, bordering Venezuela. According to the Venezuelan parliament, collection centres in Brazil and on an unnamed island in the Caribbean will also be installed for aid coming from Venezuelan companies abroad, as well as Colombia and the US. Despite its enormous oil reserves, Venezuela is going through a severe economic crisis that has descended into a nationwide shortage of basic foods and medicines as well as deficient public services. The Venezuelan government frequently blames the performance of its economy on a war led by the United States together with internal and regional opposition.

Venezuela assembly head warns of 'irregular war' upon foreign intervention

Venezuelan military officers blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-challenging-maduro-through-humanitarian-aid-195434">Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge</a> to President Nicolas Maduro's authority.

Earlier Tuesday the opposition-dominated National Assembly had warned the armed forces, which make up much of Maduro's power base, not to cross a "red line" by blocking aid.

Guaido, who proclaimed himself acting president on January 23 -- sparking an international crisis -- claims that up to 300,000 people face death if the aid is not delivered.

"You know there's a red line, you know well there's a limit, you know that medicines, food and medical supplies are that limit," lawmaker Miguel Pizarro said in a message to the military.

Maduro, though, said humanitarian aid would be the forerunner of a US-led invasion, insisting that "no one will enter, not one invading soldier."

Venezuelan military officers used a tanker truck and huge shipping container to block access to the Tienditas bridge, which links Cucuta, Colombia to Urena, Venezuela.

Franklyn Duarte, an opposition lawmaker from the border state of Tachira, told AFP that troops from the armed forces were blocking the crossing.

The aid delivery was being coordinated by Guaido, who has declared himself interim president of the oil-rich country and now enjoys the backing of some 40 countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

Maduro, 56, has repeatedly accused the United States of fomenting a coup.

The US, which has not ruled out military intervention in crisis-wracked Venezuela, was the first to recognize him as acting president, followed by a dozen Latin American countries.

In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-will-meet-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-in-vietnam-on-february-27-28-trump-in-state-of-the-union-address-195467">President Donald Trump</a> reaffirmed US support for Guaido, saying "we stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom."

Britain, France, Germany and Spain were among 20 EU nations to side with Guaido this week after Maduro ignored their demands that he announce new presidential elections by February 3

Interference&nbsp;

Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential poll.

He thanked his EU supporters "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice."

But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimize usurped power."

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the EU of trying to "topple the government by violence and ruse," while berating the US for treating Venezuela like "one of your states."

Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets.

The next mass demonstration is due for February 12.

Guaido must still find a way to bring in the humanitarian aid given the military's loyalty to Maduro.

He accused the military on Monday of planning to divert aid being stockpiled in Colombia, Brazil and an unidentified Caribbean island, in order to distribute it through the socialist government's subsidized food program for its own supporters.

The National Assembly said the military must decide whether it is on the side of the people or "the problem."

Guaido knows he needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro. He was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general.

His fledgling alternative administration will hold talks in Washington February 14 on responding to "the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in modern history."

Maduro disclosed Monday that he sent Pope Francis a letter seeking help in mediating the country's crisis. The pope told journalists Tuesday that this would require agreement from both the government and the opposition.

"Getting close to both sides to enact the possibilities of dialogue. That's how diplomacy works," the pope said on the plane bringing him back from the United Arab Emirates. &nbsp; &nbsp;

'Confrontation'&nbsp;

Eurasia Group analysts say the humanitarian crisis "represents a lose-lose gambit for Maduro" who will either have to allow the goods to enter the country, further bolstering Guaido, or force the military to block their entry, risking a backlash in the streets.

Maduro, though, remains steadfast.

"Venezuela doesn't have to beg to anyone," he said. "If they want to help, then end the blockade and the sanctions."

Under Maduro's stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has plunged into an economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine.

Eurasia said US oil sanctions are "set to have a broad impact" with the government facing "the prospect of running out of gasoline, which could serve as another social catalyst."

Maduro won't cave&nbsp;

Guaido branded Maduro illegitimate over his reelection in May, which the opposition boycotted after several of its leaders were either jailed, barred or forced into exile.

The US and EU dismissed the elections as a fraud.

Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish television he would not "cave in to pressure."&nbsp;

He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a "Contact Group" in Montevideo on Thursday, though.

The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido's self-proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between January 21 and 31.

Venezuelan military officers blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge to President Nicolas Maduro's authority.

Venezuelan military officers blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge to President Nicolas Maduro's authority. Earlier Tuesday the opposition-dominated National Assembly had warned the armed forces, which make up much of Maduro's power base, not to cross a "red line" by blocking aid. Guaido, who proclaimed himself acting president on January 23 -- sparking an international crisis -- claims that up to 300,000 people face death if the aid is not delivered. "You know there's a red line, you know well there's a limit, you know that medicines, food and medical supplies are that limit," lawmaker Miguel Pizarro said in a message to the military. Maduro, though, said humanitarian aid would be the forerunner of a US-led invasion, insisting that "no one will enter, not one invading soldier." Venezuelan military officers used a tanker truck and huge shipping container to block access to the Tienditas bridge, which links Cucuta, Colombia to Urena, Venezuela. Franklyn Duarte, an opposition lawmaker from the border state of Tachira, told AFP that troops from the armed forces were blocking the crossing. The aid delivery was being coordinated by Guaido, who has declared himself interim president of the oil-rich country and now enjoys the backing of some 40 countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader. Maduro, 56, has repeatedly accused the United States of fomenting a coup. The US, which has not ruled out military intervention in crisis-wracked Venezuela, was the first to recognize him as acting president, followed by a dozen Latin American countries. In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Donald Trump reaffirmed US support for Guaido, saying "we stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom." Britain, France, Germany and Spain were among 20 EU nations to side with Guaido this week after Maduro ignored their demands that he announce new presidential elections by February 3 Interference Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential poll. He thanked his EU supporters "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice." But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimize usurped power." Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the EU of trying to "topple the government by violence and ruse," while berating the US for treating Venezuela like "one of your states." Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets. The next mass demonstration is due for February 12. Guaido must still find a way to bring in the humanitarian aid given the military's loyalty to Maduro. He accused the military on Monday of planning to divert aid being stockpiled in Colombia, Brazil and an unidentified Caribbean island, in order to distribute it through the socialist government's subsidized food program for its own supporters. The National Assembly said the military must decide whether it is on the side of the people or "the problem." Guaido knows he needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro. He was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general. His fledgling alternative administration will hold talks in Washington February 14 on responding to "the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in modern history." Maduro disclosed Monday that he sent Pope Francis a letter seeking help in mediating the country's crisis. The pope told journalists Tuesday that this would require agreement from both the government and the opposition. "Getting close to both sides to enact the possibilities of dialogue. That's how diplomacy works," the pope said on the plane bringing him back from the United Arab Emirates. 'Confrontation' Eurasia Group analysts say the humanitarian crisis "represents a lose-lose gambit for Maduro" who will either have to allow the goods to enter the country, further bolstering Guaido, or force the military to block their entry, risking a backlash in the streets. Maduro, though, remains steadfast. "Venezuela doesn't have to beg to anyone," he said. "If they want to help, then end the blockade and the sanctions." Under Maduro's stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has plunged into an economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine. Eurasia said US oil sanctions are "set to have a broad impact" with the government facing "the prospect of running out of gasoline, which could serve as another social catalyst." Maduro won't cave Guaido branded Maduro illegitimate over his reelection in May, which the opposition boycotted after several of its leaders were either jailed, barred or forced into exile. The US and EU dismissed the elections as a fraud. Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish television he would not "cave in to pressure." He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a "Contact Group" in Montevideo on Thursday, though. The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido's self-proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between January 21 and 31.

Venezuela's military blocks humanitarian aid shipment

Boosted by the backing of 19 European Union countries, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-spain-recognises-venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-as-acting-president-195050">Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido</a> is ploughing on with his bid to bring humanitarian aid into the country despite <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-writes-to-pope-francis-for-help-195155">President Nicolas Maduro</a>'s vow to block it.

Venezuela's National Assembly, headed by self-proclaimed acting president Guaido, was to discuss the process of gathering badly-needed food and medicines in neighbouring countries before bringing it in.

Guaido has pleaded with the military, the key power behind Maduro's authority, not to block the aid, claiming that up to 300,000 people face death without it.

"Here in Venezuela nothing will enter, not one invading soldier," said Maduro, who claims humanitarian aid would be a precursor to a US-led invasion.

Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of being behind an attempted coup by Guaido, who declared himself acting president on January 23.

The US, which has not ruled out military intervention in crisis-wracked Venezuela, was the first to recognize his claims followed by a dozen Latin American countries.

Britain, France and Spain were among 19 EU nations to side with Guaido on Monday after Maduro ignored a deadline they had set for him to announce new presidential elections.

Interference&nbsp;

Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential poll.

He thanked each EU country in turn on Twitter "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice."

But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimize usurped power."

Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets.

The next mass demonstration is due for February 12.

Guaido and Maduro led rival rallies in Caracas on Saturday that brought tens of thousands of people into the streets.

Guaido must still find a way to bring in the humanitarian aid given the military's loyalty to Maduro.

The young lawmaker accused the military on Monday of planning to divert aid being stockpiled in Colombia, Brazil and an unidentified Caribbean island, in order to distribute it through the socialist government's subsidized food program for its own supporters.

Guaido appealed to the military's "conscience" to let the aid reach those most in need.

Guaido knows he also needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro, although he was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general.

His fledgeling alternative administration will also hold talks in Washington February 14 on responding to "the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in modern history."

'Confrontation'&nbsp;

Analysts Eurasia Group says the humanitarian crisis "represents a lose-lose gambit for Maduro as he will either have to allow the goods to enter the country, further bolstering Guaido, or force the military to block their entry, which would likely lead to more blowback in the streets."

Maduro, though, remains steadfast.

"They want to send two little trucks with four casseroles. Venezuela doesn't have to beg to anyone," he said.

"If they want to help then end the blockade and the sanctions."

The US has stepped up the pressure on Maduro's regime by imposing sanctions on state oil company PDVSA in a bid to starve the administration of its funding.

But on Monday, Guaido accused Maduro of trying to illicitly transfer up to $1.2 billion from public coffers to a bank in Uruguay, urging the Montevideo government "not to lend itself to stealing."

Under Maduro's stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has plunged into an economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine.

Eurasia said US oil sanctions are "set to have a broad impact" with the government facing "the prospect of running out of gasoline, which could serve as another social catalyst."

Maduro won't cave&nbsp;

Guaido branded Maduro illegitimate over his reelection in May, which the opposition boycotted after several of its leaders were either jailed, barred or forced into exile.

The US and EU dismissed the elections as a fraud.

Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish television he would not "cave in to pressure."&nbsp;

He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a "Contact Group" in Montevideo on Thursday, though, saying it would lead to "dialogue."

The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido's self-proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between January 21 and 31.

Boosted by the backing of 19 European Union countries, Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido is ploughing on with his bid to bring humanitarian aid into the country despite President Nicolas Maduro's vow to block it.

Boosted by the backing of 19 European Union countries, Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido is ploughing on with his bid to bring humanitarian aid into the country despite President Nicolas Maduro's vow to block it. Venezuela's National Assembly, headed by self-proclaimed acting president Guaido, was to discuss the process of gathering badly-needed food and medicines in neighbouring countries before bringing it in. Guaido has pleaded with the military, the key power behind Maduro's authority, not to block the aid, claiming that up to 300,000 people face death without it. "Here in Venezuela nothing will enter, not one invading soldier," said Maduro, who claims humanitarian aid would be a precursor to a US-led invasion. Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of being behind an attempted coup by Guaido, who declared himself acting president on January 23. The US, which has not ruled out military intervention in crisis-wracked Venezuela, was the first to recognize his claims followed by a dozen Latin American countries. Britain, France and Spain were among 19 EU nations to side with Guaido on Monday after Maduro ignored a deadline they had set for him to announce new presidential elections. Interference Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential poll. He thanked each EU country in turn on Twitter "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice." But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimize usurped power." Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets. The next mass demonstration is due for February 12. Guaido and Maduro led rival rallies in Caracas on Saturday that brought tens of thousands of people into the streets. Guaido must still find a way to bring in the humanitarian aid given the military's loyalty to Maduro. The young lawmaker accused the military on Monday of planning to divert aid being stockpiled in Colombia, Brazil and an unidentified Caribbean island, in order to distribute it through the socialist government's subsidized food program for its own supporters. Guaido appealed to the military's "conscience" to let the aid reach those most in need. Guaido knows he also needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro, although he was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general. His fledgeling alternative administration will also hold talks in Washington February 14 on responding to "the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in modern history." 'Confrontation' Analysts Eurasia Group says the humanitarian crisis "represents a lose-lose gambit for Maduro as he will either have to allow the goods to enter the country, further bolstering Guaido, or force the military to block their entry, which would likely lead to more blowback in the streets." Maduro, though, remains steadfast. "They want to send two little trucks with four casseroles. Venezuela doesn't have to beg to anyone," he said. "If they want to help then end the blockade and the sanctions." The US has stepped up the pressure on Maduro's regime by imposing sanctions on state oil company PDVSA in a bid to starve the administration of its funding. But on Monday, Guaido accused Maduro of trying to illicitly transfer up to $1.2 billion from public coffers to a bank in Uruguay, urging the Montevideo government "not to lend itself to stealing." Under Maduro's stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has plunged into an economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine. Eurasia said US oil sanctions are "set to have a broad impact" with the government facing "the prospect of running out of gasoline, which could serve as another social catalyst." Maduro won't cave Guaido branded Maduro illegitimate over his reelection in May, which the opposition boycotted after several of its leaders were either jailed, barred or forced into exile. The US and EU dismissed the elections as a fraud. Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish television he would not "cave in to pressure." He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a "Contact Group" in Montevideo on Thursday, though, saying it would lead to "dialogue." The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido's self-proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between January 21 and 31.

Venezuela's Guaido challenging Maduro through humanitarian aid

Yemeni pro-government forces advanced closer to rebel-held Hodeida overnight, a military source said on Wednesday, raising fears over humanitarian aid deliveries through the lifeline port city.

Concern was also growing for civilians in Hodeida, as the fighting drew near and after reports that snipers had positioned themselves on a hospital rooftop.

Plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the horizon on Tuesday as heavily armed pro-government forces moved towards the Red Sea port on foot and on the back of pickup trucks.

A pro-government military source said on Wednesday that loyalists backed by a Saudi-led coalition made "limited advances" overnight towards Hodeida and its port, through which more than 70 per cent of the impoverished country's imports pass.

The coalition, an alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, had sent fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters to cover Yemeni troops fighting rebels on the ground, the source told AFP.

A barrage of 100 air strikes were fired at the weekend around Hodeida, the Save the Children aid group said, citing its staff in the city of 600,000 residents.

In the past 24 hours fighting claimed the lives of 27 rebels and 12 pro-government fighters on the outskirts of Hodeida city, a medical source told AFP on Wednesday.

Nearly 200 combatants have been killed in the past week, according to military sources.

Hospitals in crossfire

The United Nations children's fund, UNICEF, on Wednesday voiced concern an escalation in the violence would jeopardise humanitarian efforts crucial for the survival of millions across the war-torn country.

"The concern really is that if Hodeida port doesn't function anymore, we, as UNICEF, are then not able to bring in humanitarian supplies through that port," Juliette Touma, spokeswoman for the UN agency, told AFP.

Touma said that in past years UNICEF had been able to transport to Hodeida humanitarian supplies using "little boats".

This week marks one year since the government coalition, which controls Yemen's airspace and maritime borders, imposed a blockade on rebel-held Hodeida in retaliation for Huthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Rights groups now fear for civilians, as fighting nears two hospitals in the area.

A medical source told AFP on Wednesday that the Huthis had forced medical staff out of the May 22 Hospital -- one of Hodeida's main medical facilities -- and stationed snipers on top of the building.

UNICEF warned on Tuesday the fighting was dangerously close to Al-Thawra hospital in southern Hodeida, and was endangering the lives of 59 children.

The clashes come as the United Nations pushes to restart negotiations between the warring parties, after planned talks in Geneva in September failed.

Civilian infrastructure

The International Committee of the Red Cross on Wednesday appealed for warring parties to "spare civilians and civilian infrastructure" including ambulances, hospitals, electricity and water plants.

"Families are staying in schools -- each classroom housing two or three families -- which makes it an average of 20 people in the classroom with nothing whatsoever," said Mirella Hodeib, ICRC spokesman in Sanaa.

"ICRC urges all parties to respect international humanitarian law... and to allow for the safe passage of civilians who want to flee the active conflict zones."

Hodeida, one of the last Huthi strongholds on Yemen's western coast, was seized by the rebels along with the capital Sanaa in 2014.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the government's fight against the Huthis months later, driving the rebels from a string of ports but failing to retake the capital and Hodeida.

Hodeida is Yemen's most valuable port, crucial for aid delivery and food imports to a country where famine looms over 14 million people and a child dies every 10 minutes from easily preventable diseases, according to the UN.

Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of using Hodeida port to smuggle missiles to the Huthis, a charge Tehran denies.

The World Health Organization estimates nearly 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen's war since 2015, although rights groups say the toll could be five times higher.

Yemeni pro-government forces advanced closer to rebel-held Hodeida overnight, a military source said on Wednesday, raising fears over humanitarian aid deliveries through the lifeline port city.

Yemeni pro-government forces advanced closer to rebel-held Hodeida overnight, a military source said on Wednesday, raising fears over humanitarian aid deliveries through the lifeline port city. Concern was also growing for civilians in Hodeida, as the fighting drew near and after reports that snipers had positioned themselves on a hospital rooftop. Plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the horizon on Tuesday as heavily armed pro-government forces moved towards the Red Sea port on foot and on the back of pickup trucks. A pro-government military source said on Wednesday that loyalists backed by a Saudi-led coalition made "limited advances" overnight towards Hodeida and its port, through which more than 70 per cent of the impoverished country's imports pass. The coalition, an alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, had sent fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters to cover Yemeni troops fighting rebels on the ground, the source told AFP. A barrage of 100 air strikes were fired at the weekend around Hodeida, the Save the Children aid group said, citing its staff in the city of 600,000 residents. In the past 24 hours fighting claimed the lives of 27 rebels and 12 pro-government fighters on the outskirts of Hodeida city, a medical source told AFP on Wednesday. Nearly 200 combatants have been killed in the past week, according to military sources. Hospitals in crossfire The United Nations children's fund, UNICEF, on Wednesday voiced concern an escalation in the violence would jeopardise humanitarian efforts crucial for the survival of millions across the war-torn country. "The concern really is that if Hodeida port doesn't function anymore, we, as UNICEF, are then not able to bring in humanitarian supplies through that port," Juliette Touma, spokeswoman for the UN agency, told AFP. Touma said that in past years UNICEF had been able to transport to Hodeida humanitarian supplies using "little boats". This week marks one year since the government coalition, which controls Yemen's airspace and maritime borders, imposed a blockade on rebel-held Hodeida in retaliation for Huthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. Rights groups now fear for civilians, as fighting nears two hospitals in the area. A medical source told AFP on Wednesday that the Huthis had forced medical staff out of the May 22 Hospital -- one of Hodeida's main medical facilities -- and stationed snipers on top of the building. UNICEF warned on Tuesday the fighting was dangerously close to Al-Thawra hospital in southern Hodeida, and was endangering the lives of 59 children. The clashes come as the United Nations pushes to restart negotiations between the warring parties, after planned talks in Geneva in September failed. Civilian infrastructure The International Committee of the Red Cross on Wednesday appealed for warring parties to "spare civilians and civilian infrastructure" including ambulances, hospitals, electricity and water plants. "Families are staying in schools -- each classroom housing two or three families -- which makes it an average of 20 people in the classroom with nothing whatsoever," said Mirella Hodeib, ICRC spokesman in Sanaa. "ICRC urges all parties to respect international humanitarian law... and to allow for the safe passage of civilians who want to flee the active conflict zones." Hodeida, one of the last Huthi strongholds on Yemen's western coast, was seized by the rebels along with the capital Sanaa in 2014. Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the government's fight against the Huthis months later, driving the rebels from a string of ports but failing to retake the capital and Hodeida. Hodeida is Yemen's most valuable port, crucial for aid delivery and food imports to a country where famine looms over 14 million people and a child dies every 10 minutes from easily preventable diseases, according to the UN. Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of using Hodeida port to smuggle missiles to the Huthis, a charge Tehran denies. The World Health Organization estimates nearly 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen's war since 2015, although rights groups say the toll could be five times higher.

Fears for civilians as Yemen forces edge closer to lifeline port

Imagine a child without any toys to play with, regular schooling or a daily dose of cartoons. Sounds like a disturbed childhood, right? This is the reality for about 14.4 million refugees (2014 UNHCR figures) in the world&nbsp;who lead a different life than an average kid living in their own homeland.

World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/refugee-20161003123616.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
World Refugee Day (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Living under difficult circumstances, refugees deal with several issues at hand. Displaced from their place of belonging here is a list of things that refugee kids miss out on a daily basis:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Their home:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Usually relocated, refugee children miss out on growing up in their own homeland, among friends and family. Unlike children who are raised under normal state of affairs, these kids are not exposed to their culture and surroundings that are vital for a holistic development.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_fl79o-20161003124546.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A refugee camp (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Regular education:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Most refugee children have no or negligible access to regular schools. Some are pulled out of schools because of war-like situations or have to discontinue so as to fend for the family.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_7z67e-20161003124828.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A makeshift refugee school (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Food:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Leading a disturbed lifestyle, refugee children have no access to everyday food that we munch on. Most of them survive on minimum basics or go without food for several days. In several countries they are given food vouchers, so you can imagine they don&#39;t eat anything that we fancy on as kids -&nbsp;ice creams, burgers, pizzas or other junk food items.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_hkg2005102184450-20161003010747.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Displaced kids eating (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Lose their childhood too early:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Reeling under physical and psychological pressure, refugee kids mature much early than their counterparts. It is reported by the&nbsp;UN&#39;s refugee agency that countries like Syria have reported grave dangers for refugee kids. Girls are married to much older men vying for safety while the boys are forced into labour so as to sustain a family.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_c62vj-20161003010716.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A kid at work in a refugee camp (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Source of entertainment:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

As a child refugee, the&nbsp;kids are always striving for safety and have no&nbsp;source of entertainment like movies, cartoons, leisure activities or even access to toys sometimes.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_be47o-20161003125249.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A child plays with makeshift tricycle (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Every year, war adds on to the number of refugees worldwide. Facing danger to life and other basic human rights, they need to be provided with a closer-to home environment for growth. Many organisations around the world like UNHCR, World Food Programs are working towards improving their living standards.

&nbsp;

(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Owing to pressure, these kids mature faster than those living in their homes

Imagine a child without any toys to play with, regular schooling or a daily dose of cartoons. Sounds like a disturbed childhood, right? This is the reality for about 14.4 million refugees (2014 UNHCR figures) in the world who lead a different life than an average kid living in their own homeland. World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20. World Refugee Day (WION) × Living under difficult circumstances, refugees deal with several issues at hand. Displaced from their place of belonging here is a list of things that refugee kids miss out on a daily basis: Their home: Usually relocated, refugee children miss out on growing up in their own homeland, among friends and family. Unlike children who are raised under normal state of affairs, these kids are not exposed to their culture and surroundings that are vital for a holistic development. A refugee camp (AFP) × Regular education: Most refugee children have no or negligible access to regular schools. Some are pulled out of schools because of war-like situations or have to discontinue so as to fend for the family. A makeshift refugee school (AFP) × Food: Leading a disturbed lifestyle, refugee children have no access to everyday food that we munch on. Most of them survive on minimum basics or go without food for several days. In several countries they are given food vouchers, so you can imagine they don't eat anything that we fancy on as kids - ice creams, burgers, pizzas or other junk food items. Displaced kids eating (AFP) × Lose their childhood too early: Reeling under physical and psychological pressure, refugee kids mature much early than their counterparts. It is reported by the UN's refugee agency that countries like Syria have reported grave dangers for refugee kids. Girls are married to much older men vying for safety while the boys are forced into labour so as to sustain a family. A kid at work in a refugee camp (AFP) × Source of entertainment: As a child refugee, the kids are always striving for safety and have no source of entertainment like movies, cartoons, leisure activities or even access to toys sometimes. A child plays with makeshift tricycle (AFP) × Every year, war adds on to the number of refugees worldwide. Facing danger to life and other basic human rights, they need to be provided with a closer-to home environment for growth. Many organisations around the world like UNHCR, World Food Programs are working towards improving their living standards. (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

A refugee child misses out on things your average kid takes for granted

In a last ditch effort to save the Syrian ceasefire from collapsing, US secretary of state John Kerry demanded on Wednesday that Russia and the Syrian government immediately halt warplanes over Syrian battle zones. 
 
Kerry said it was the last chance to find a way &quot;out of the carnage&quot;. 
 
&quot;I call on every country to cease providing support of any kind to any party that is trying to sabotage this plan,&quot; Kerry said.&nbsp; 
 
Many regions in Syria are in dire need of humanitarian and medical aid. The key areas are where Syrian government forces have been accused of targeting civilians.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;To restore credibility to the process we must move forward to try to immediately ground all aircraft flying in those key areas in order to de-escalate the situation and give a chance for humanitarian assistance to flow unimpeded,&quot; Kerry said.&nbsp; 
 
The United States and Russia faced off at the UN Security Council in New York. Kerry blamed Russia for the air raids on the aid convoys in Syria on Tuesday.&nbsp; 
 
He said the bombing raised &quot;profound doubt whether Russia and the Assad regime can or will live up to&quot; ceasefire obligations. 
 
&quot;I emphasise this to Russia. The United States continues to believe there is a way forward that, although rocky and difficult and uncertain, can provide the most viable path out of the carnage,&quot; Kerry said.&nbsp; 
 
The Russians said a coalition drone was in the area when the aid trucks were hit.&nbsp; 
 
The strikes killed 20 people and destroyed 18 trucks delivering food and other supplies in Syria. 
 
The UN Security Council met for tense crisis talks to try to revive the truce. 
 
&quot;We are at a make or break moment,&quot; UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon told the council.&nbsp; 
 
He urging world powers to use their influence to help restart political talks so Syrians can &quot;negotiate a way out of the hell in which they are trapped.&quot; 
 
Ban told the council he was looking at &quot;options for vigorously investigating&quot; the attack. The United Nations said the attack on the aid convoy could amount to a war crime. 
 
After halting aid operations in response to the convoy attack, the United Nations said it was ready to resume humanitarian deliveries. 
 
Diplomatic efforts were set to continue in New York with a new meeting of the 23-nation International Syria Support Group (ISSG) to be held on Thursday. 
 
The United States and Russia will chair the meeting bringing together world powers to push for a ceasefire and an eventual political resolution to the bloody five-year-old conflict. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Despite the US and Russia sparring over Tuesday's attack on aid convoy, diplomatic efforts were set to continue at Syrian support group meet

In a last ditch effort to save the Syrian ceasefire from collapsing, US secretary of state John Kerry demanded on Wednesday that Russia and the Syrian government immediately halt warplanes over Syrian battle zones. Kerry said it was the last chance to find a way "out of the carnage". "I call on every country to cease providing support of any kind to any party that is trying to sabotage this plan," Kerry said. Many regions in Syria are in dire need of humanitarian and medical aid. The key areas are where Syrian government forces have been accused of targeting civilians. "To restore credibility to the process we must move forward to try to immediately ground all aircraft flying in those key areas in order to de-escalate the situation and give a chance for humanitarian assistance to flow unimpeded," Kerry said. The United States and Russia faced off at the UN Security Council in New York. Kerry blamed Russia for the air raids on the aid convoys in Syria on Tuesday. He said the bombing raised "profound doubt whether Russia and the Assad regime can or will live up to" ceasefire obligations. "I emphasise this to Russia. The United States continues to believe there is a way forward that, although rocky and difficult and uncertain, can provide the most viable path out of the carnage," Kerry said. The Russians said a coalition drone was in the area when the aid trucks were hit. The strikes killed 20 people and destroyed 18 trucks delivering food and other supplies in Syria. The UN Security Council met for tense crisis talks to try to revive the truce. "We are at a make or break moment," UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon told the council. He urging world powers to use their influence to help restart political talks so Syrians can "negotiate a way out of the hell in which they are trapped." Ban told the council he was looking at "options for vigorously investigating" the attack. The United Nations said the attack on the aid convoy could amount to a war crime. After halting aid operations in response to the convoy attack, the United Nations said it was ready to resume humanitarian deliveries. Diplomatic efforts were set to continue in New York with a new meeting of the 23-nation International Syria Support Group (ISSG) to be held on Thursday. The United States and Russia will chair the meeting bringing together world powers to push for a ceasefire and an eventual political resolution to the bloody five-year-old conflict. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US demands grounding of Russian, Syrian warplanes to save truce

The United Nations&#39; top aid official voiced anger today at world powers&#39; inability to agree on a truce to allow aid into Aleppo, warning of an &quot;unparalleled&quot; humanitarian catastrophe in the battleground Syrian city. 
 
Stephen O&#39;Brien told the Security Council that plans were in place to quickly send 70 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid to eastern Aleppo if all sides agreed on a truce. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m not going to pretend. I&#39;m angry, very angry,&quot; O&#39;Brien told council members holding their third meeting on the crisis in Aleppo this month. 
 
&quot;As the UN&#39;s humanitarian chief, this callous carnage that is Syria has long since moved from the cynical to the sinful.&quot; 
 
O&#39;Brien renewed his call for a 48-hour pause in fighting in Aleppo, where the violence escalated sharply in July when regime forces surrounded the rebel-held east. 
 
Up to 275,000 people in eastern Aleppo have been almost entirely cut off from food, water, medicine and electricity for over a month, while 1.5 million people living in the west of the city also face severe shortages. 
 
&quot;In Aleppo, we risk seeing a humanitarian catastrophe unparalleled in the over five years of bloodshed and carnage in the Syrian conflict,&quot; said O&#39;Brien. 
 
The war-torn nation&#39;s second city &quot;has become the apex of horror&quot; for suffering Syrians, he said. 
 
O&#39;Brien welcomed the announcement from Russia, Syria&#39;s key ally, that it supports the call for the 48-hour ceasefire, but said all sides must sign on. 
 
Once the needed security assurances are received, UN aid workers are ready to move 50 trucks of aid from western Aleppo to the east, and an additional 20 trucks from Turkey into eastern Aleppo, he said. 
 
O&#39;Brien urged all countries with influence, in particular the United States and Russia, which co-chair the international group backing the peace process in Syria, to rapidly reach agreement on a ceasefire deal. 
 
Not a single aid convoy has reached Syria&#39;s besieged areas in August while air strikes have hit hospitals and schools. 
 
In July alone, there were 44 attacks on medical and health facilities throughout Syria, including attacks against five out of the nine hospitals in eastern Aleppo, according to the UN. 
 
More than 290,000 people have been killed in the Syrian war that erupted in March 2011 and international efforts to end the conflict have faltered. 
 
(AFP)

The war-torn nation's second city 'has become the apex of horror', O'Brien said, adding that all sides must sign on the call for ceasefire

The United Nations' top aid official voiced anger today at world powers' inability to agree on a truce to allow aid into Aleppo, warning of an "unparalleled" humanitarian catastrophe in the battleground Syrian city. Stephen O'Brien told the Security Council that plans were in place to quickly send 70 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid to eastern Aleppo if all sides agreed on a truce. "I'm not going to pretend. I'm angry, very angry," O'Brien told council members holding their third meeting on the crisis in Aleppo this month. "As the UN's humanitarian chief, this callous carnage that is Syria has long since moved from the cynical to the sinful." O'Brien renewed his call for a 48-hour pause in fighting in Aleppo, where the violence escalated sharply in July when regime forces surrounded the rebel-held east. Up to 275,000 people in eastern Aleppo have been almost entirely cut off from food, water, medicine and electricity for over a month, while 1.5 million people living in the west of the city also face severe shortages. "In Aleppo, we risk seeing a humanitarian catastrophe unparalleled in the over five years of bloodshed and carnage in the Syrian conflict," said O'Brien. The war-torn nation's second city "has become the apex of horror" for suffering Syrians, he said. O'Brien welcomed the announcement from Russia, Syria's key ally, that it supports the call for the 48-hour ceasefire, but said all sides must sign on. Once the needed security assurances are received, UN aid workers are ready to move 50 trucks of aid from western Aleppo to the east, and an additional 20 trucks from Turkey into eastern Aleppo, he said. O'Brien urged all countries with influence, in particular the United States and Russia, which co-chair the international group backing the peace process in Syria, to rapidly reach agreement on a ceasefire deal. Not a single aid convoy has reached Syria's besieged areas in August while air strikes have hit hospitals and schools. In July alone, there were 44 attacks on medical and health facilities throughout Syria, including attacks against five out of the nine hospitals in eastern Aleppo, according to the UN. More than 290,000 people have been killed in the Syrian war that erupted in March 2011 and international efforts to end the conflict have faltered. (AFP)

UN aid chief warns of 'unparalleled' catastrophe in Aleppo

Aid convoys have not reached Syria&#39;s besieged areas with desperately needed food and medicine for the past month, the UN envoy to the war-ravaged country, Staffan de Mistura, said today. 
 
In protest at the failure of warring parties to allow aid to reach civilians, de Mistura cut short the weekly meeting of the Geneva-based humanitarian taskforce, which is headed by the United States and Russia. 
 
&quot;Not one single convoy in one month has reached any of the humanitarian besieged areas,&quot; de Mistura told reporters, blaming relentless fighting. 
 
Today&#39;s taskforce meeting lasted just eight minutes before it was &quot;suspended&quot;, de Mistura said, explaining that the move was symbolic and that the group would meet again next week. 
 
The envoy re-issued the United Nations&#39; call for a weekly 48-hour humanitarian pause in Aleppo, where an estimated 1.5 million civilians are trapped as fierce fighting rages between Syria President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s forces and rebels. 
 
Aleppo, Syria&#39;s second city and former economic hub, has emerged as a top concern for the UN and aid agencies since regime troops seized control of the last supply route into rebel-held areas in mid-July. 
 
De Mistura said the 17 countries that make up the International Support Group for Syria (ISSG), which sit on the humanitarian taskforce, would hold another meeting later today on the issue of a humanitarian pause in Aleppo. 
 
Since the beginning of the year, the UN and its Red Cross partners have delivered aid to nearly 1.3 million Syrians living in areas defined as besieged or hard-to-reach. 
 
But the movement of convoys has primarily been hampered by access restrictions imposed by Assad&#39;s government. 
 
Deir Ezzor, which is partially controlled by the Islamic State group, has continued to receive aid over the last month through World Food Programme air drops, de Mistura said. 
 
Four besieged areas -- Madaya, Zabadani, Foah and Kafraya -- have not been reached by a convoy in 110 days, the UN envoy added. 
 
More than 290,000 people have been killed and more than half the population has been displaced since Syria&#39;s conflict erupted in March 2011 with anti-government protests that escalated into a brutal multi-front war. 
 
(AFP)

Four besieged areas, Madaya, Zabadani, Foah and Kafraya, have not been reached by a convoy in 110 days

Aid convoys have not reached Syria's besieged areas with desperately needed food and medicine for the past month, the UN envoy to the war-ravaged country, Staffan de Mistura, said today. In protest at the failure of warring parties to allow aid to reach civilians, de Mistura cut short the weekly meeting of the Geneva-based humanitarian taskforce, which is headed by the United States and Russia. "Not one single convoy in one month has reached any of the humanitarian besieged areas," de Mistura told reporters, blaming relentless fighting. Today's taskforce meeting lasted just eight minutes before it was "suspended", de Mistura said, explaining that the move was symbolic and that the group would meet again next week. The envoy re-issued the United Nations' call for a weekly 48-hour humanitarian pause in Aleppo, where an estimated 1.5 million civilians are trapped as fierce fighting rages between Syria President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebels. Aleppo, Syria's second city and former economic hub, has emerged as a top concern for the UN and aid agencies since regime troops seized control of the last supply route into rebel-held areas in mid-July. De Mistura said the 17 countries that make up the International Support Group for Syria (ISSG), which sit on the humanitarian taskforce, would hold another meeting later today on the issue of a humanitarian pause in Aleppo. Since the beginning of the year, the UN and its Red Cross partners have delivered aid to nearly 1.3 million Syrians living in areas defined as besieged or hard-to-reach. But the movement of convoys has primarily been hampered by access restrictions imposed by Assad's government. Deir Ezzor, which is partially controlled by the Islamic State group, has continued to receive aid over the last month through World Food Programme air drops, de Mistura said. Four besieged areas -- Madaya, Zabadani, Foah and Kafraya -- have not been reached by a convoy in 110 days, the UN envoy added. More than 290,000 people have been killed and more than half the population has been displaced since Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with anti-government protests that escalated into a brutal multi-front war. (AFP)

No humanitarian convoys in Syria in a month: UN

<div>Russia said on Wednesday there would be daily three-hour&nbsp;ceasefires in Syria&#39;s Aleppo starting Thursday to allow humanitarian&nbsp;convoys to enter the city safely, a proposal which the United Nations&nbsp;said it would consider. 
 
Aleppo is split into rebel and government controlled areas. The&nbsp;rebel-held east, where about 250,000 people are thought to be&nbsp;living, came under siege in early July after government forces cut the,&nbsp;Castello Road, the main supply route into the district. 
 
Last Friday rebels staged a major assault southwest of Aleppo to&nbsp;break this siege. Rebel fighters did manage to pierce the ring of&nbsp;government-controlled territory, but a safe corridor for civilians and&nbsp;aid has not yet been established as fierce fighting continues.&nbsp;Speaking at a televised briefing, Lieutenant-General Sergei Rudskoi,&nbsp;a senior Russian Defence Ministry official, said that the pause in&nbsp;fighting would run from 10 am to 1 pm local time. 
 
Rudskoi said the question of joint control over delivery of&nbsp;humanitarian aid via Castello Road was being discussed with the 
United Nations and the United States. 
 
He said &quot;all military action, air and artillery strikes&quot; would be halted&nbsp;for the three-hour periods. 
 
&quot;This is to ensure that all interested organisations have the&nbsp;opportunity to deliver their humanitarian assistance to the&nbsp;residents of Aleppo,&quot; Rudskoi said. 
 
He added that Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad&nbsp;against rebels in Syria&#39;s five-year-old civil war, would work with 
Damascus to ensure safe delivery of the aid.&nbsp;A spokesman for a major rebel group fighting inside Aleppo told&nbsp;Reuters it was sceptical of the Russian plan. 
 
&quot;Is this publicity that Russia is a neutral party? What is three hours?&nbsp;In those three hours they will just be bombing (rebel-held) Idlib!&quot;, 
said Abd al-Salaam Abd al-Razzaq, military spokesman for the Nour&nbsp;al Din al-Zinki insurgent group. 
 
Air strikes killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens in rebel-held Idlib province, southwest of Aleppo, on Wednesday. One Idlib 
town, Saraqeb, has received daily heavy air strikes since a Russian&nbsp;helicopter was shot down nearby 10 days ago. 
 
QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE TRAPPED 
 
At least four people died and many suffered breathing difficulties&nbsp;when a gas, believed to be chlorine, was dropped alongside barrel&nbsp;bombs on a neighbourhood of the Syrian city of Aleppo on&nbsp;Wednesday, a hospital and a civil defence group told Reuters.&nbsp;Food supplies, infrastructure and medical services are immensely&nbsp;strained for the roughly 250,000 people believed to be trapped&nbsp;inside eastern Aleppo. 
 
United Nations aid chief Stephen O&#39;Brien said on Wednesday he was&nbsp;willing to consider the Russian plan, but that a 48-hour pause in&nbsp;fighting was needed to meet all the humanitarian needs in the Syrian&nbsp;city, Syria&#39;s most populous before the war.&nbsp;&quot;At all times I will look at any kind of suggestion which enables&nbsp;humanitarian aid to be delivered,&quot; he told reporters. 
 
&quot;When we&#39;re offered three hours then you have to ask what could be&nbsp;achieved in that three hours - is it to meet the need, or would it only&nbsp;just meet a very small part of the need?&nbsp;&quot;Clearly, from our point of view, we&rsquo;re simply there to meet the need,&nbsp;all the need...,&quot; O&#39;Brien said. &quot;To meet that capacity of need you need&nbsp;two (road) lanes and you need to have about 48 hours to get&nbsp;sufficient trucks in.&quot; 
 
He said last month that any Aleppo humanitarian pause needed to&nbsp;be 48 hours because the Castello Road was so damaged that only&nbsp;smaller trucks could be used, taking longer to deliver the assistance&nbsp;needed. 
 
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau&nbsp;said the United States would welcome any pause in fighting in Syria&nbsp;to facilitate delivery of vital humanitarian aid, but a truce must be&nbsp;observed by all parties. 
 
Rudskoi said that a point for collecting the aid and forming convoys&nbsp;has been established near Handarat, on the northern outskirts of&nbsp;Aleppo. 
 
Two weeks ago Russia and the Syrian government declared a joint&nbsp;humanitarian operation for the besieged area, showering it with&nbsp;leaflets telling fighters to surrender and civilians to leave through a&nbsp;number of &quot;humanitarian corridors&quot; it had set up. 
 
Russian and Syrian warplanes have bombarded eastern Aleppo and&nbsp;other rebel-held areas of Syria daily for months and the United&nbsp;States suggested the humanitarian corridors plan may have been an&nbsp;attempt to depopulate the city so that the Syrian army could seize it. 
 
&quot;All seven humanitarian corridors, established for the exit of&nbsp;peaceful residents and militants who wanted to lay down their arms,&nbsp;are open and work around the clock,&quot; Rudskoi said. &quot;An additional&nbsp;humanitarian corridor for militants with weapons continues to&nbsp;operate near the Castello Road.&quot; 
 
He said that a &quot;number&quot; of armed groups, with weapons, had already&nbsp;left the eastern part of Aleppo through that corridor.&nbsp;Rudskoi said&nbsp;the situation in the southwest of Aleppo remains&nbsp;difficult, with about 7,000 Jabhat Fatah al-Sham militants massing&nbsp;there for the last week and still being joined by new combatants. He&nbsp;said the militants had tanks, artillery and combat vehicles with&nbsp;weapons mounted on them. 
 
(Reuters)</div>

Officials said that the pause in fighting would run from 10 am to 1 pm local time

Russia said on Wednesday there would be daily three-hour ceasefires in Syria's Aleppo starting Thursday to allow humanitarian convoys to enter the city safely, a proposal which the United Nations said it would consider. Aleppo is split into rebel and government controlled areas. The rebel-held east, where about 250,000 people are thought to be living, came under siege in early July after government forces cut the, Castello Road, the main supply route into the district. Last Friday rebels staged a major assault southwest of Aleppo to break this siege. Rebel fighters did manage to pierce the ring of government-controlled territory, but a safe corridor for civilians and aid has not yet been established as fierce fighting continues. Speaking at a televised briefing, Lieutenant-General Sergei Rudskoi, a senior Russian Defence Ministry official, said that the pause in fighting would run from 10 am to 1 pm local time. Rudskoi said the question of joint control over delivery of humanitarian aid via Castello Road was being discussed with the United Nations and the United States. He said "all military action, air and artillery strikes" would be halted for the three-hour periods. "This is to ensure that all interested organisations have the opportunity to deliver their humanitarian assistance to the residents of Aleppo," Rudskoi said. He added that Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against rebels in Syria's five-year-old civil war, would work with Damascus to ensure safe delivery of the aid. A spokesman for a major rebel group fighting inside Aleppo told Reuters it was sceptical of the Russian plan. "Is this publicity that Russia is a neutral party? What is three hours? In those three hours they will just be bombing (rebel-held) Idlib!", said Abd al-Salaam Abd al-Razzaq, military spokesman for the Nour al Din al-Zinki insurgent group. Air strikes killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens in rebel-held Idlib province, southwest of Aleppo, on Wednesday. One Idlib town, Saraqeb, has received daily heavy air strikes since a Russian helicopter was shot down nearby 10 days ago. QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE TRAPPED At least four people died and many suffered breathing difficulties when a gas, believed to be chlorine, was dropped alongside barrel bombs on a neighbourhood of the Syrian city of Aleppo on Wednesday, a hospital and a civil defence group told Reuters. Food supplies, infrastructure and medical services are immensely strained for the roughly 250,000 people believed to be trapped inside eastern Aleppo. United Nations aid chief Stephen O'Brien said on Wednesday he was willing to consider the Russian plan, but that a 48-hour pause in fighting was needed to meet all the humanitarian needs in the Syrian city, Syria's most populous before the war. "At all times I will look at any kind of suggestion which enables humanitarian aid to be delivered," he told reporters. "When we're offered three hours then you have to ask what could be achieved in that three hours - is it to meet the need, or would it only just meet a very small part of the need? "Clearly, from our point of view, we’re simply there to meet the need, all the need...," O'Brien said. "To meet that capacity of need you need two (road) lanes and you need to have about 48 hours to get sufficient trucks in." He said last month that any Aleppo humanitarian pause needed to be 48 hours because the Castello Road was so damaged that only smaller trucks could be used, taking longer to deliver the assistance needed. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said the United States would welcome any pause in fighting in Syria to facilitate delivery of vital humanitarian aid, but a truce must be observed by all parties. Rudskoi said that a point for collecting the aid and forming convoys has been established near Handarat, on the northern outskirts of Aleppo. Two weeks ago Russia and the Syrian government declared a joint humanitarian operation for the besieged area, showering it with leaflets telling fighters to surrender and civilians to leave through a number of "humanitarian corridors" it had set up. Russian and Syrian warplanes have bombarded eastern Aleppo and other rebel-held areas of Syria daily for months and the United States suggested the humanitarian corridors plan may have been an attempt to depopulate the city so that the Syrian army could seize it. "All seven humanitarian corridors, established for the exit of peaceful residents and militants who wanted to lay down their arms, are open and work around the clock," Rudskoi said. "An additional humanitarian corridor for militants with weapons continues to operate near the Castello Road." He said that a "number" of armed groups, with weapons, had already left the eastern part of Aleppo through that corridor. Rudskoi said the situation in the southwest of Aleppo remains difficult, with about 7,000 Jabhat Fatah al-Sham militants massing there for the last week and still being joined by new combatants. He said the militants had tanks, artillery and combat vehicles with weapons mounted on them. (Reuters)

Russia announces daily ceasefire in Syria?s Aleppo to facilitate aid

The Philippines said, on Saturday, it would, within days, send government missions to Saudi Arabia to help thousands of jobless Filipinos left stranded across the kingdom after the plunge in oil prices. 
 
The first batch of officials would fly to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday &quot;to provide immediate humanitarian, legal, and other consular assistance to the overseas Filipino workers stranded in work camps across Saudi Arabia,&quot; a foreign department statement said.&nbsp;The immediate target is to bring aid to &quot;those without food and in dire need of medical care and other support services&quot;, it added. 
 
&quot;A high level delegation of senior Philippine government officials will also be sent soonest to negotiate immediate and long-term solutions with counterparts in the Saudi government,&quot; the statement said.&nbsp;&quot;The directive of (President Rodrigo Duterte) is to bring all of them home as soon as possible,&quot; labour secretary Silvestre Bello told ABS-CBN television in an interview aired Saturday. 
 
Labour rights monitors in the Philippines said last week some Filipinos have been forced to beg or sift through garbage to survive after going unpaid for months or after having been laid off from construction jobs. 
 
The Philippine government estimates about 9,000 Filipino workers were affected, though the Manila-based labour rights group Migrante said as many as 20,000 could be in distress.&nbsp;They could not leave because they lacked proper permits or were still awaiting months of back pay, Migrante added.&nbsp; 
 
Asian activists and officials have said thousands of Indians and Pakistanis are also stranded in Saudi Arabia following the layoffs.&nbsp;About 10 million Filipinos work abroad due to low wages or lack of jobs in their own country of about 100 million people. Oil-rich Middle Eastern countries have been a key destination since the 1970s. 
 
(AFP)

Some Filipinos beg or sift through garbage to survive after going unpaid for months or after having been laid off from construction jobs

The Philippines said, on Saturday, it would, within days, send government missions to Saudi Arabia to help thousands of jobless Filipinos left stranded across the kingdom after the plunge in oil prices. The first batch of officials would fly to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday "to provide immediate humanitarian, legal, and other consular assistance to the overseas Filipino workers stranded in work camps across Saudi Arabia," a foreign department statement said. The immediate target is to bring aid to "those without food and in dire need of medical care and other support services", it added. "A high level delegation of senior Philippine government officials will also be sent soonest to negotiate immediate and long-term solutions with counterparts in the Saudi government," the statement said. "The directive of (President Rodrigo Duterte) is to bring all of them home as soon as possible," labour secretary Silvestre Bello told ABS-CBN television in an interview aired Saturday. Labour rights monitors in the Philippines said last week some Filipinos have been forced to beg or sift through garbage to survive after going unpaid for months or after having been laid off from construction jobs. The Philippine government estimates about 9,000 Filipino workers were affected, though the Manila-based labour rights group Migrante said as many as 20,000 could be in distress. They could not leave because they lacked proper permits or were still awaiting months of back pay, Migrante added. Asian activists and officials have said thousands of Indians and Pakistanis are also stranded in Saudi Arabia following the layoffs. About 10 million Filipinos work abroad due to low wages or lack of jobs in their own country of about 100 million people. Oil-rich Middle Eastern countries have been a key destination since the 1970s. (AFP)

Philippines to negotiate with Saudi Arabia over stranded workers

humanitarian-aid

Humanitarian Aid, News on Humanitarian Aid, stories on Humanitarian Aid, articles on Humanitarian Aid, Humanitarian Aid stories at Wion, Humanitarian Aid news, Humanitarian Aid latest news