The United Nations voiced concern over the impact of deteriorating security and humanitarian situation on the lives of some 400,000 people trapped in eastern Ghouta in Syria.
Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric underlined the need to ensure that humanitarians have unrestricted access to the affected areas. "There have been continued reports of heavy aerial bombardment and artillery shelling which have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries," he told the regular daily briefing at UN Headquarters in New York. 
According to reports, the Syrian government forces have prevented commercial trucks from entering the town, located in rural Damascus, since late March.
Lack of supplies have resulted in price hikes of basic staples and closures of many bakeries due to lack of flour and much higher prices for fuel and gas. "It is critical that the UN and partners be given access to the area before the conditions deteriorate further," Dujarric stated. 
The last UN humanitarian delivery to any of the besieged areas of eastern Ghouta was nearly six months ago, in October last year. Eastern of Ghouta was attacked before by the Assad forces gas in 2013, killing hundreds of civilians. 

Source: QNA