Northwest Syria relieved by humanitarian supply flight
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that its first flight to the Al Hassakeh Governorate, Syria, landed on 9 July.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that its first flight to the Al Hassakeh Governorate, Syria, landed on 9 July. The flight brought 40 tons of food to an estimated 275,000 people living in the area. Many had been cut off from the vital humanitarian assistance they need for more than six months.
The plane landed at Qamishly airport bringing with it supplies of rice, bulgar, pulses, salt, vegetable oil, sugar and Plumpy’doz, a specialised nutrition product. Over the course of a month, the plane will fly at least 25 rotations between Damascus and Qamishly to deliver over 1,000 tons of cargo. The food and medical supplies have been sent on behalf of a number of humanitarian organisations working in the area, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Humans Rights Council (UNHRC).
“These airlifts are a big step forward in the humanitarian response in Syria this year and bring a glimmer of hope to the people of Al Hassakeh Governorate who have survived without a lifeline for far too long,” said Jakob Kern, WFP Syria country director. “WFP food stocks in Qamishly were exhausted a few weeks ago, so the first seven airlift rotations will deliver desperately needed food rations and nutrition supplies, with distributions starting within the week.”
Road access to this part of the country has been blocked for more than two years by so-called Islamic State.