On Monday, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen will discuss in Damascus the mechanism of delivering humanitarian aid to the north-western districts of the country which are under the control of militants, the Norwegian diplomat told reporters on his arrival in the city of Damascus.
"We need access across the front lines and across the Syrian-Turkish border," An Nashra quoted Pedersen as saying. The UN emissary said upcoming talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad will address opening humanitarian corridors.
Pedersen noted that the UN is mobilizing financial resources now. "We're saying to everyone: put politics aside, it's time to come together in support of the Syrian people," he said.
On February 10, Syria's Council of ministers decided to deliver humanitarian aid to all earthquake-affected regions, including areas outside Damascus' control. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Red Crescent Society, in cooperation with UN agencies, will control the distribution of the aid. As stressed in the government decree, "this will serve to guarantee the delivery of aid to those in need."
Aleppo, Damascus and Latakia airports have so far received more than 70 planes with humanitarian supplies for the affected population. Most of them have come from Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS