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Airdrops to Syrian town besieged by Islamic State resume: WFP

Xinhua, February 1, 2017 Adjust font size:

The World Food Programme (WFP) said Tuesday that airdrops of supplies had started again in the remote desert town of Deir ez-Zor, over two weeks after operations were halted due to security situations on the ground.

"WFP and partners resumed airdrop deliveries to Deir ez-Zor city on Jan. 29. These operations had been suspended on Jan. 15 due to security conditions on the ground," WFP said in a written statement.

An Islamic State (IS) offensive earlier this month had not only cut the eastern Syrian town in two, but also captured the drop zone used by humanitarian actors to parachute aid into the town.

"Operations have resumed as an alternative drop zone is now being used," it added.

According to the WFP, 179 airdrops have been carried out in Deir ez-Zor since April last year, providing some 93,500 people with food and supplies. Endit