In Aleppo, necessity is mother of invention

Shortages, high prices have forced residents to find innovative ways to cope with difficulties

Cigarettes stuffed with grape leaves instead of tobacco, gardens on bombed-out rooftops, and batteries powered by rusted bicycles: in Syria's besieged eastern Aleppo, necessity is the mother of invention.

More than 250,000 people have been under a government siege in the rebel-held side of the northern city since July, without access to aid, food, fuel, medicine or even cigarettes.