Tens of thousands of people have fled the Syrian army's advance in rebel-held east Aleppo, according to the Red Cross and a monitoring group.

The International Red Cross (ICRC) said 20,000 people had fled this week, while the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the figure much higher at 50,000 - 20,000 had fled to government-held western districts of the city, with another 30,000 moving to areas held by Kurdish forces.

Middle East Eye can not verify the Observatory's higher figure.

The ICRC's Marianne Gasser, who is currently in Aleppo, said on Tuesday: “The implications of fleeing home are immense. It’s not just a matter of picking a few items and leaving. There’s a huge knock-on effect.

"They need to be guaranteed safe passage and be offered dignified conditions. And they need all the basic necessities such as food, safe drinking water and medical care."

Syrian troops have seized at least a third of eastern Aleppo since renewing their bid to recapture all of the battered second city just over two weeks ago.

“It’s vital that all sides respect civilians. Health facilities need to be protected as too many have been damaged and destroyed. There should not be indiscriminate attacks. Human dignity must be respected at all times,” said Gasser.

The UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting in New York to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo.