The United Nations has started the delivery of humanitarian aid by air to Syria from neighboring Iraq.The first cargo plane carrying food took off from Arbil in Iraqs Kurdistan region to the Hassakeh Province in Syria on Sunday.
The airlift was delayed from last week because of winter storms sweeping Syria and Lebanon. The Syrian and Iraqi governments have both approved the airlift.
The UN said food being sent during the next 10 days should be enough to feed more than 6,000 Syrian families for the rest of December.
The UN Refugee Agency also plans to send 300 tons of relief items, including blankets, sleeping mats and kitchen sets to support 60,000 displaced people.
A planeload from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) contains health kits, water and sanitation supplies.
We have been particularly worried about the situation of children and families in the northern parts of Syria because of the insecurity and limited access, said Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
These airlifts will help ensure they have access to safe water and health care through the tough winter months ahead, she said.
Last week, the UN put the number of vulnerable people in Hassakeh Province - which has had no significant aid deliveries since May - at 50,000-60,000.
Over 100,000 people have been killed and a total of 7.8 million of others have been displaced due to the nearly three-year-old crisis in Syria, the UN says.
By Press TV
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