EU Sends 50 Tonnes of Aid to Syria, Marking First Humanitarian Air Bridge Since Assad's Fall

Dec 13, 2024, 11:32 AM

The European Union has initiated a humanitarian air bridge to deliver aid to Syria, marking the first such effort since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The EU is sending 50 tonnes of medical supplies from its stocks in Dubai to Adana, Turkey, for distribution across the border into Syria. This operation comes in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region, exacerbated by a 13-year civil war, the influx of people fleeing conflicts in neighboring countries, and the recent ousting of Assad. The aid is part of a broader international effort to support Syria's recovery, with Saudi Arabia and the UK also calling for global support to help the country overcome its people's suffering. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has highlighted the dire situation in Syria, describing it as a 'triple crisis' due to the ongoing conflict, the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and the political upheaval. The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has acknowledged some progress but emphasized that 'many challenges' persist in achieving stability.