Syrians struggle with food, fuel shortages after decade of war - Red Cross

FILE PHOTO: Internally displaced Syrian child plays with snow, at a camp in Northern Aleppo countryside, Syria January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano

GENEVA (Reuters) - A decade after Syria's conflict began, families struggle more than ever to buy food while ambulances lack fuel to bring wounded and COVID-19 patients to hospital, Red Cross and Red Crescent officials said on Thursday.

"Syria is in a deadly spiral of warfare, economic downturn, pandemic and sanctions," International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer told a news conference. "Close to three-quarters of the population now need humanitarian assistance, an increase of 20% compared to 12 months ago."