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Dr. Ammar Ghanem is a Syrian American physician who grew up in the town of Madaya.

He told 5 Live's Afternoon Edition he's been talking to his family, trapped in the besieged town every day.

He said the situation is so dire that people have resorted to eating pets and grass to survive.

Activists in the area have reported that several people have already starved to death in Madaya.

The town is cut-off by the Syrian Army and militias who support President Assad.

Dr Ghanem compared the situation in Syria to the Holocaust, warning many more civilians will die if aid workers aren't allowed into the town.

This clip is originally from 5 live Afternoon Edition on Thursday 7 January 2016