Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Sorry, go ahead.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you very much, MP Tabbara, for the question. In terms of the medical supplies, as I mentioned before, for about 15 months there has been no entry of any kind of medical supplies. The good thing is that, for years, there has been storage by the Ghouta people in Arbin, which is on the west side of eastern Ghouta.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I can take this one. Thank you very much for the question. To start with, the humanitarian window from nine o'clock to two o'clock suggested by Russia does not make any sense. It's not logical. It's absurd. This is not my opinion or the organization's opinion. This is the opinion of the medical staff on the ground.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I just want to add one more point if you allow me. The situation in eastern Ghouta is different from that in Aleppo. Aleppo has access to different cities and towns not controlled by the Syrian regime. Eastern Ghouta is completely surrounded by the Syrian regime. That's the major concern of the population, the 400,000 civilians, because they don't want to go there.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  We do have the primary health clinics and a hospital, which is the only hospital in the city of Douma currently. The only hospital is being operated by our organization or supported by our organization. We support the medical staff on the ground. We support the only emergency room in that hospital in that city, and the intensive care unit, which is currently packed with hundreds and hundreds of patients.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  In terms of what Canada can do, we urge Canada to put pressure on Russia, because we know that Russia has the solution. As my colleague Muzna mentioned, when Russia wanted to do the safe zone from nine o'clock until two o'clock, they were able to achieve that. I think Russia has the answer to that.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Correct. Most of the time, sir, the people are eating whatever comes from the land. There is some agriculture despite the ongoing destruction, despite the ongoing air strikes. Eastern Ghouta is known for its farms, and agriculture in the area is rich, but because of the ongoing air strikes, that will be challenging as well.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Yes, 100%. The destruction affected even the farmers. In the last week specifically, there have been no farmers working, no agricultural activities at all. If that continues, we won't be seeing any kind of local products being produced.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  If I can add something.... You know, the local people want the UN to implement the resolution and to be involved in the talks, and this hasn't happened. They have no trust whatsoever in the Syrian authority or Russia.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you, sir. In the last 14 months, there have been no medical supplies, no humanitarian aid, no food whatsoever being allowed by the regime to enter Ghouta. Everything they are living on, including for the basic needs of children and medical supplies for hospitals, is whatever they had in storage before the last 14 months.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you very much, Dr. Al Fakir. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for this opportunity, and thank you to the members of Parliament on this very essential Subcommittee on International Human Rights. I want to give you some perspective in terms of the current medical crisis in eastern Ghouta.