UN provides nearly 139,000 tons of food to Syria's Idlib in 2021

By Cem Genco

HATAY, Turkey (AA) – The UN has sent a total of 138,800 tons of food aid to the needy people in Idlib, Syria since the beginning of 2021, according to information obtained by Anadolu Agency.

UN trucks carrying humanitarian aid cross into the Syrian territory through the Cilvegozu border gate in Turkey’s southern Hatay province.

Some 5,555 truckloads of aid, including flour, sugar, chickpeas, oil and various breakfast items, have been distributed to those in need in Idlib and surrounding areas in 2021, UN officials told Anadolu Agency.

In 2014, the 15-member UN Security Council first authorized a cross-border aid operation into Syria at four points. Last year, it reduced that access to just one crossing point, from neighboring Turkey to Syria's opposition-held northwest until July 10, 2021, due to Russia’s veto and objections.

The Cross-Border Mechanism is set to come up for a vote on Saturday with eyes on Russia and China, two permanent members who might block its renewal.

Syria has been ravaged by a civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN estimates.

Idlib falls within a de-escalation zone forged under an agreement between Turkey and Russia. The area has been the subject of multiple cease-fire understandings, which have frequently been violated by the Syrian regime and its allies.

*Writing by Sena Guler​​​​​​​