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More And More People Are Attempting Suicide In This Syrian Town

Madaya, Syria, has been under siege since 2015, and a human rights group says suicide attempts there have risen recently.
Posted at 1:04 PM, Sep 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-08 13:04:00-04

Madaya, Syria, is still under siege. And a human rights group says more young people there are trying to kill themselves.

The city's siege began in July 2015.

Before that, Save the Children says there were few suicide attempts. But in the past two months, the groups says there have been at least 13 attempts among young adults and teenagers.

SEE MORE: Here's What You Can Do Now To Help People In Syria

But suicides aren't the only humanitarian concern. For months, there's been little, if any, access to necessities and medicine, and it's taking a psychological toll on the people there.

More cases of severe depression and paranoia are being reported.

And without food, some residents were said to be eating grass and leaves to survive last year.

Aid organizations have tried to bring in necessities, but at times, it's been months between deliveries.

SEE MORE: Chemical Weapon Attacks Are A New Normal For Syrians

In May, UNICEF said the number of undernourished kids was improving, but for those with liver failure and other potentially fatal diseases, there's little help available.