The regime of Bashar al-Assad, with support from its allies, has cut off the people of Madaya, Syria, from the rest of the world and is depriving them of badly needed supplies like food and humanitarian aid. As a result, people are starving to death or have resorted to eating bugs and leaves to survive. Videos have surfaced of children who look like skeletons from malnourishment. This horrific situation constitutes a form of collective punishment –– violating international law.

Our hearts break for the Syrian people who have endured so much violence over the past five years. The people of Syria need our help, but more war and violence is not the answer.