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UN-backed convoy delivers aid to besieged area in Syria

Xinhua, May 3, 2017 Adjust font size:

A UN-International Committee of the Red Cross-Syrian Arab Red Crescent convoy on Tuesday delivered life-saving humanitarian assistance for 35,000 people in need in besieged Duma in eastern Ghouta, Rural Damascus, a UN spokesman said here Wednesday.

The area was last reached on Oct. 19, 2016, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric noted at a daily news briefing here.

"The convoy included wheat flour, nutrition and health supplies, food rations, education materials, clothes and other much needed emergency items," Dujarric said. "Some surgical supplies, medicine and health equipment were removed or reduced in quantity prior to loading."

The convoy to Duma highlights that when there is enough political will, security and access challenges can be overcome and life-saving assistance can reach those in dire need of assistance, he said.

"The UN remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern Ghouta," he said. "Plans are in place to reach other areas in eastern Ghouta, as approved under the April/May plan."

Some 400,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance in eastern Ghouta overall, the spokesman said. "We call on the parties and those with influence over them to take the necessary actions to ensure that other areas in eastern Ghouta can be reached as soon as possible." Endit