UNHCR, Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) reach eastern Aleppo with truckloads of aid

Following agreement with the Syrian Government and the opposition, UNHCR and SARC carried out a rare and risky operation to deliver humanitarian assistance to the besieged neighborhood of Boustan al Qaser in Eastern Aleppo.

Two trucks packed with blankets, plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and kitchen sets and food were offloaded at the last checkpoint at the outskirts of the city.

The goods were then transported into the community using 54 pull-carts and 75 workers, back and forth one and a half kilometers each way and in 270 trips, for later distribution to a SARC warehouse and then soon to the needy population.

A ceasefire, agreed for the duration of the operation, was fully respected by all parties.

UNHCR staff observed a dire humanitarian situation inside Eastern Aleppo, noting an acute shortage of food, water, medicine and basic supplies. UNHCR last accessed the area in June, 2013 and no humanitarian aid has reached the population there since then.