Syria: 13 aid-filled trucks offloaded in Douma despite close-range fighting

Damascus/Geneva (ICRC) – Teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and UN on Friday delivered urgently needed aid in Syria despite fighting that took place extremely close to the humanitarian convoy.

ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and UN teams in Eastern Ghouta delivered 2,400 food parcels that can sustain 12,000 people for one month, as well as 3,248 wheat flour bags. The 13-truck delivery was part of a convoy that could not be fully unloaded on 5 March due to the security situation.

"We were taken aback by the fighting that broke out despite guarantees from the parties involved in this conflict that humanitarians could enter Douma, in Eastern Ghouta," said Robert Mardini, the ICRC's regional director for the Near and Middle East. "As more aid is needed in the coming days, it is absolutely critical that these assurances be renewed and respected in the future. Aid workers should not have to risk their lives to deliver assistance. The security of humanitarian workers, as well as that of civilians, must be guaranteed at all times."

For further information, please contact:
Ralph El Hage, ICRC Amman, tel: +962 7 7845 4382
Matthew Morris, ICRC London, tel: +44 7753 80 94 71
Iolanda Jaquemet, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 447 37 26