The Red Cross began handing out aid in the Syrian city of Homs Sunday after government troops had blocked access for days and prevented them from delivering supplies to besieged residents. Food and blankets were given to families who fled the neighborhood of Baba Amr and took shelter in nearby villages. People in Baba Amr had faced a humanitarian crisis as electricity, water, and communications have been cut off in cold temperatures, and food was running low. Some residents were killed when they ventured out to look for food.