UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is ready to support aid convoys to the besieged rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta in Syria, said a UN spokesman on Monday.
The United Nations is on standby and is ready to immediately support life-saving aid convoys to several areas in Eastern Ghouta as soon as conditions allow, said the spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
The world body is also ready to help with the evacuation of hundreds of critically ill patients from the enclave, he said, adding that it is ready to access other besieged and hard-to-reach areas in Syria.
"The United Nations calls on all parties to facilitate unconditional, unimpeded, sustained access to all people in need throughout the country, and to take all measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities, as required by international humanitarian law and international human rights law."
Despite the adoption of a Security Council resolution that demands an immediate cease-fire on Saturday, fighting in Eastern Ghouta continued, said Dujarric.
Over the past 48 hours, military operations in Eastern Ghouta resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, including women and children, said the spokesman. Attacks on Damascus from Eastern Ghouta also continued, he said.
Since Feb. 19, escalating hostilities have resulted in 500 deaths and some 1,500 injuries in Eastern Ghouta, said Dujarric.
A total of 24 health facilities in Eastern Ghouta, a "de-escalation zone," were reportedly impacted by shelling and airstrikes, in addition to three humanitarian sites. During the same period, attacks on Damascus city and the governorate resulted in 14 deaths and 214 injuries, he said.
