Assad ’may evacuate cancer children’ from Eastern Ghouta

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, an adviser to the charity, told the BBC that Assad’s private office had said he would decide next week.

The children are among more than 130 needing urgent medical treatment in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta.

The Damascus suburb has been under government siege for four years.

Earlier this month the Red Cross said life in Eastern Ghouta was becoming "impossible" and the situation there had reached a "critical point".

The UN has been trying for weeks to arrange medical evacuations. Dozens of civilians are reported to have died in recent government bombardments and food shortages have led to severe malnutrition.

"We understand Assad is thinking about it. And we’re calling him back on Tuesday morning to speak to him direct," said Mr de Bretton-Gordon, who advises the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM), which operates in Eastern Ghouta.

"And if he gives us the go-ahead then the plan is that we will get to Ghouta as quickly as we can, get the children."

The seven children who could be evacuated include Rama, 4, who has lymphoma, is suffering from malnutrition and has a malignant tumor in her throat.

The last time she received the medication she needs was eight months ago, the UOSSM said.

Mr de Bretton-Gordon said the UN had told him that she and the other children could be treated elsewhere in Syria or abroad.