THE world is watching with a sense of revulsion and helplessness as the ancient Syrian city of Aleppo faces a humanitarian crisis of enormous proportions.
This UNESCO World Heritage site now more closely resembles Berlin at the end of World War II but it is the fate of the thousands of trapped civilians that is foremost in the thoughts of western governments as President Assad's military, backed by Russia, prepare to take full control from rebel groups.
Few could fail to be moved by the messages emerging from the ruined city in recent days as citizens prepare for death while calling on the wider world to hear their pleas for help.
Harrowing stories of pro-government forces executing civilians, including women and children, and of bodies lying in the streets, have sparked widespread outrage.
At the United Nations this week a UN spokesman said it looked like there had been `a complete meltdown of humanity' in the city while US ambassador Samantha Power accused Russia, Iran and Assad of bearing responsibility for the carnage and atrocities carried out in Aleppo.
The issue for the UN and governments including Britain and America is what action can now be taken to safeguard the remaining civilians in Aleppo.
Aid organisation Trocaire is warning that we cannot allow Aleppo become another Srebrenica and is calling on the Irish government and the EU to push for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access.
Some form of protected corridor to allow people to be evacuated would be at least something but the problem is we are not dealing with regimes that are amenable to international pressure.
Even so, western governments must redouble all efforts to help the men, women and children caught up in a situation of unspeakable horror.
That includes offering asylum and sanctuary to people fleeing a catastrophe that is beyond the comprehension of most of us in the west.
