![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ULE77H52UYCRHIAP7OJZSQD7V4.jpg?smart=true&auth=283842a6a457eda4763a61404827443bf3994a4fbf22fb1fed4e095e23b1abfa&width=400&height=225)
Forces loyal to Assad have carried out air raids on Eastern Ghouta, while besieged rebels have fired mortars into neighbouring Damascus. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
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Syrian staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross take part in a medical evacuation operation in Douma in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
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Syrian staff tend to wounded baby in Douma. Abdulmonam Eassa / AFP Photo
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About 400,000 people in Eastern Ghouta are besieged by forces loyal to President Bashar Al Assad, and the United Nations and charities have pleaded for his government to allow evacuation of around 500 patients. Abdulmonam Eassa / AFP Photo
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The Syrian American Medical Society said four patients were taken to hospitals in Damascus, the first of 29 critical cases approved for medical evacuation. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
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The Syrian Red Crescent said the evacuations were the result of “long negotiations”. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
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A Syrian girl lies inside an ambulance. Abdulmonam Eassa / AFP Photo
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The United Nations has been waiting for months for the Syrian authorities to provide “facilitation letters” to allow the aid operation to get under way. Hamza Al Ajweh / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ULE77H52UYCRHIAP7OJZSQD7V4.jpg?smart=true&auth=283842a6a457eda4763a61404827443bf3994a4fbf22fb1fed4e095e23b1abfa&width=400&height=225)
Forces loyal to Assad have carried out air raids on Eastern Ghouta, while besieged rebels have fired mortars into neighbouring Damascus. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BRR3EBJGXQ6UD4ZN4EGCA7GBPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=31d6fe11b22e28c5ea25885f34b36de19e963cc7f7e5bec13ff211b3384fe708&width=400&height=225)
Syrian staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross take part in a medical evacuation operation in Douma in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WRBDQNJJ2IF6KP2S7UH5LTDAT4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ae83d3157f019aaa7d629a08de3b976e9c13b6a073c86a2e08d40647b43473fa&width=400&height=225)
Syrian staff tend to wounded baby in Douma. Abdulmonam Eassa / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MXWM43R6SFMID4N4BST47AKMZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ac3481b5ed4bcac070de1f678c6839e2ae618806991a4c337163789e335a516&width=400&height=225)
About 400,000 people in Eastern Ghouta are besieged by forces loyal to President Bashar Al Assad, and the United Nations and charities have pleaded for his government to allow evacuation of around 500 patients. Abdulmonam Eassa / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ODJETPUHVLJGWRHL3DNWBMHKJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=66bfe428d1743ff2426556a57ebcb185869baf9d4bb361b6e936eec589825184&width=400&height=225)
The Syrian American Medical Society said four patients were taken to hospitals in Damascus, the first of 29 critical cases approved for medical evacuation. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IGHBKMS3W46UUDYISKGYWOJMEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9917564132d33ef22f839dac8d58a50d476538e22c4cf0ef3363850a0f664f05&width=400&height=225)
The Syrian Red Crescent said the evacuations were the result of “long negotiations”. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CVPL6G4W2HYWOXVAH3RORUBLKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=833641506e18e402d2bf1ae6a4cb0c63de8482cd256095e633c89b36acb92316&width=400&height=225)
A Syrian girl lies inside an ambulance. Abdulmonam Eassa / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JOI6NN6YZMLLHAARCNCOK2TZBY.jpg?smart=true&auth=62bc2c2ee5c8f8e13fb9eb11131bbb6f31789c2c279df26044c9020a4a298c4f&width=400&height=225)
The United Nations has been waiting for months for the Syrian authorities to provide “facilitation letters” to allow the aid operation to get under way. Hamza Al Ajweh / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ULE77H52UYCRHIAP7OJZSQD7V4.jpg?smart=true&auth=283842a6a457eda4763a61404827443bf3994a4fbf22fb1fed4e095e23b1abfa&width=400&height=225)
Forces loyal to Assad have carried out air raids on Eastern Ghouta, while besieged rebels have fired mortars into neighbouring Damascus. Amer Almohibany / AFP Photo
Medical evacuations begin from Syria's Eastern Ghouta
A campaign to evacuate children who have cancer has been underway
Sanya Burgess
27 December, 2017
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