Posted on 03/01/2018 2:17:47 PM PST by Texas Fossil
An aid convoy carrying humanitarian supplies for 50,000 displaced people has arrived in Afrin in Syria, a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Thursday, as Turkey wages an offensive in the area.
The spokeswoman, Iolanda Jaquemet, said it was the first time this year that the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent had got the agreement of the warring sides for such a convoy.
The ICRC is concerned that the fighting between Turkish forces and the Kurdish YPG militia is moving closer to a dam and water treatment facility that are vital for water supplies to people in the area, Jaquemet added.
The 29-truck convoy was carrying 430 tonnes of food, daily essentials, water purification materials and medical supplies, she said. Jaquement dismissed as untrue reports that the convoy had come under attack during the journey.
The United Nations has estimated 30,000 people may have been displaced in Afrin since the Turkish offensive began, but there is little information available. Jaquemet said 30 percent of the population of Afrin district was thought to be displaced, but she did not have any other figures.
"The majority are living in dire conditions and are hosted in communities and collective centres. The ongoing fighting has forced thousands more to flee. What we are doing now is to meet the most pressing needs of the most vulnerable," she said.
Commenting on the proximity of the dam and water treatment area to the fighting, Jaquement said: "Were they to be damaged it would deprive at least 200,000 people of water."
There are only four hospitals thought to be still operating and in some areas of Afrin people in dire need of medical care were not able to reach the nearest medical centre, she said.
I think the resolution of the UN related to allowing this kept Turkey from attacking it. Prior civilian efforts were bombed. I saw photo's on Twitter of the vehicles after the attack.
This time they arrived:
@AzadiRojava 8h8 hours ago
https://twitter.com/AzadiRojava/status/969210539284058113
Good news: Convoy arrived in Efrîn. Huge convoy w many trucks w aid, food. Very necessary as many of Efrîns people are displaced now Turkey keeps attacking the Efrîn villages.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.