Georgia’s PM: “We’re trying to provide humanitarian aid for children in Aleppo”

The Government of Georgia is making efforts to provide humanitarian aid for children in Syria's besieged city Aleppo, says Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

Kvirikashvili spoke about the situation in Aleppo when he attended today’s service at Makhata Cathedral, marking Saint Barbara’s Day.

I cannot not mention the situation in Aleppo, Syria,” Kvirikashvili said as he spoke to journalists.

At the moment we are trying to somehow manage to provide humanitarian aid – through the help of the United Nations office - for the children who are in jeopardy there.”

Kvirikashvili noted Saint Barbara was believed to the Patron of Children and he wished all children in Georgia a "happy childhood” and to "live in a warm environment”.

What's happening in Aleppo? 

The northern Syrian city of Aleppo is currently caught in a brutal four-year deadlock. It was a key battleground in the war between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebels who wanted to overthrow him.

The BBC reported that in November the Syrian government forces launched a renewed assault and rapidly retook almost all of the opposition-held east. By mid-December they had pushed the rebels into just a few neighbourhoods.

Tens of thousands of civilians fled those districts but the UN said hundreds had gone missing since crossing into government-controlled areas - and that rebels prevented some civilians from leaving.

According to BBC, on December 15 the warring sides reached an agreement to end the fighting but this ceasefire deal is unstable.