TOPSHOT - A Red Crescent convoy prepares to leave Damascus to the besieged areas of Madaya and Zabadani, on February 17, 2016 during an operation in cooperation with the UN to deliver aid to thousands of besieged Syrians.  
Almost half a million people in Syria are in areas under seige, according to the United Nations, after almost five years of civil war between Syria's government and rebel forces. 

 / AFP / LOUAI BESHARA        (Photo credit should read LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images)