Russian military personnel of the Center for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria will distribute more than 60 tons of food in about 30 localities in various provinces of the country on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha holiday (in Russia is better known as Kurban Bairam- TASS). This was reported to journalists by the head of the territorial Department the Center Aleksey Patsunko.
"This time the distribution of food packages covers a large number of provinces, the total number of cities is more than 30, and by tonnage, it is more than 60 tons [of food] that will be distributed to the Syrian people," Patsunko said.
Eid al-Adha or Kurban Bairam is celebrated by Muslims for several days and during these days the Russian military will distribute food. The first delivery points have already been deployed in localities in Syria.
This time, as Patsunko, the number of products was increased. "[When preparing such events], the local mentality, religion, and culture are taken into account. Both the command of the group [of Russian troops in Syria] and the command of the Center are doing everything to coincide with the holidays with some campaigns. Moreover, the command, seeing the need and requests, appeals of the Syrian people through the governing bodies, independently decided to increase the humanitarian packages," said the representative of the Center.
The food packages contain everything needed -cereals, tea, and flour, the amount of which has been doubled for each person this time. "The amount of flour has been doubled. It was 2 kg, now - 4. We have to give two packages - one cannot withstand the load. In the second - cereal and tea," said Patsunko.
There are many people in need
One of the points of delivery of products is the village of ar-Rastan in the province of Latakia. The Russian column stops at the intersection of two major streets and news that the Russian military has arrived in the locality quickly gathers a large number of people. Local authorities note that assistance to local residents is now very necessary.
"The war affected absolutely everyone here - we had dead and wounded, the streets were hit by mines and shells, 10-15 hits a day. Unfortunately, we still have a lot of poor families. The situation is difficult now, our agriculture has not fully recovered yet, " said Ali Abdurahim, a representative of the village administration.
There were no militants in this village during the war, but they came very close to the settlement, which caused local farmers to stop working in the field. Because of the war, many local residents also lost their relatives and friends, and now they are in great need of help.
"May the Almighty see Russia, thank you for everything. It is not easy for us now, I have no one left - my husband, my family. I live with my sister, I don't have a job and I'm old, it is difficult. I'll go home now and start cooking. There is a lot of flour in the set, I want to bake flatbread with spices called Za'atar, in the evening I will feed my family, " said local resident Selma Deyu.
Assistance in Aleppo, Idlib and Al-Hasakah
The second distribution point is already operating in the province of Aleppo in the village of Kafr Naya, which was occupied by militants of the banned terrorist group Jabhat al-Nusra during the war. Here, the Russian military distributed more than 250 food packages to those in need. "Today we are in the province of Aleppo, the settlement of Kafr Naya. A campaign is being held here to help poor families. More than 250 food packages are distributed. We have planned such campaigns, we are conducting them in localities that have recently been freed from illegal armed groups," said Vitaly Morozov, a representative of the Center.
Local residents, as well as in Latakia, need help and bitterly recall the time when their homes were located at the positions of terrorists.
"I want to thank both the Russian government, which is helping the Syrian government and the Russian people, who are helping the brotherly Syrian people. Of course, there was destruction, there was fear, very violent gangs took over our village, it was very dangerous for residents to be here. But thanks to the Syrian army and the support of Russia now we can live peacefully and safely," said a local resident Walid Chobak.
Similar food distribution events were also organized by the Russian military in Idlib and al-Hasakah provinces.
Russia's aid to Syria
According to the Russian Center for reconciliation of warring parties and control of the movement of refugees in Syria, at the end of July, more than 2.4 thousand campaigns were held, during which more than 4 thousand tons of food, bottled water and basic necessities were delivered and distributed to the country's residents.
Medical specialists of the Russian Ministry of Defense provided assistance to more than 132 thousand residents of Syria.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS