U.N. agencies report an unprecedented number of people are fleeing for their lives as fighting intensifies among Syrian forces, their Russian allies and rebel groups in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib.

The United Nations says nearly 700,000 people have fled Idlib and surrounding areas in just over the last 10 weeks. Most are women and children. Many have been forced to flee several times since Syria and its Russian allies launched a military offensive nine months ago to retake Idlib, the last rebel stronghold in the country.

Jens Laerke is a spokesman for U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. He says this is the largest and fastest-growing displacement in the country since Syria’s civil war broke out nearly nine years ago.

“This latest displacement compounds an already dire humanitarian situation on the ground there and protection, shelter, water, food, sanitation and hygiene material, health, and emergency education are all urgent priorities,”  said Laerke.

Aid agencies are increasing their humanitarian operations in response to the unfolding tragedy. A massive cross-border operation between Turkey and Syria is under way. This month alone, the United Nations says more than 230 trucks carrying life-saving assistance have been sent from Turkey into conflict-ridden northwest Syria.

Source: VOA news