Turkey is planning to evacuate around 500 Syrians from the besieged Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

"There are around 500 people, including 170 children and women who need urgent humanitarian aid," Erdogan said ahead of his departure on an official visit to Sudan.

He said he is planning the issue with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, with the aim to bring people in need of assistance to Turkey for treatment and care.

The Russian and Turkish chiefs of staff would discuss the steps to be taken in operations that would also involve the Turkish Red Crescent and Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Organization (AFAD), Erdogan said.

While Turkey is a leading supporter of the Syrian opposition, Russia is allied with President Bashar Assad.

In November, the UN humanitarian adviser for Syria called the situation in eastern Ghouta a humanitarian emergency.