Russia continues helping Syria's Deir ez-Zor besieged by ISIL militants
MOSCOW. Feb 26 (Interfax) - The Russian Aerospace Forces are providing support for the population of the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, that is besieged by militants from ISIL, a terrorist organization banned in Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.
"In cooperation with their Syrian partners, the Russian Aerospace Forces continue providing aid for the population of the besieged Deir ez-Zor by parachuting humanitarian supplies. Since January, military transport aircraft using Russian P-7 parachute systems have delivered a total of 250 tonnes of food (flour, sugar, canned goods), essentials (tents, blankets, hygienic items), medications and bandages," the ministry said in a commentary posted on its website on Friday.
The humanitarian situation in Syria remains complicated, it said. "The international community is doing all it can to normalize it. According to the UN Secretary General, each month, an average of six million Syrians receive food aid from UN humanitarian agencies and partner organizations," the ministry said.
In total, there are an estimated 4.6 million of Syrian refugees worldwide, it said. The number of internally displaced people is much higher, at over 7.6 million. "The Syrian government has been providing them with assistance, help also comes from local residents," the ministry said.
Moscow is satisfied with the progress made by the humanitarian target group, it said. "We are satisfied to note the progress in the work of the humanitarian target group, which was formed after the statement approved in Munich, on February 12. Humanitarian aid now gets delivered to all populated areas mentioned in this document. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that around 110,000 people received necessary aid as a result of these operations. The next humanitarian aid delivery to these areas is due over the next few days," the ministry said.
"Russia has consistently supported international efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian population in need," the ministry said.
The UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O'Brien, announced the launch of an aviation bridge on February 24, to deliver World Food Programme aid to the ISIL-besieged city of Deir ez-Zor in northeastern Syria, the ministry recalled. "A Russian carrier, charted by the WFP, carried out the first airdrop of 21 tonnes of humanitarian aid. According to O'Brien, the cargo was airdropped in the areas planned," the ministry said.
