UAE Sends Aid Ship Carrying 1,000 Tons Of Food, Medicine To Syria

An aid ship carrying essential supplies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has arrived in Syria to help the victims of the deadly earthquake that struck the country last month.

The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) reportedly sent the shipment under the directive of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the ruler's representative in the western region of Abu Dhabi.

The Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defense said the shipment included 1,000 tons of food supplies, medicine, and medical equipment, and was part of the UAE's "Operation Gallant Knight 2," which was launched to aid the people of Syria and neighboring country Turkey following the quake, The National News reported.

The UAE has been working on all fronts since the disaster hit the countries, leaving more than 50,000 people dead. ERC Board Chairman Dr. Hamdan Musallam said the society continues to respond to the needs of the earthquake victims to this day, sending out relief supplies by air and sea.

The recent shipment, which reached Latakia Port on Sunday, was the largest quantity of aid ever sent to Syria. It will be moved across the areas hit by the earthquake through the help of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

Another ship carrying more essential aid is also expected to arrive in Latakia over the next few days.

In response to the aid, Latakia Government Council Chairman Tayseer Habib expressed his gratitude to the UAE. He particularly thanked the ERC for its proactive role in working in partnership with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to expedite the delivery of the relief goods.

Meanwhile, the Dubai International City for Humanitarian Services, the host of the biggest humanitarian logistics center in the world, sent about 600 tonnes of aid to Syria and Turkey last month, via the air bridge launched by the UAE to facilitate the relief operations in both countries.

Giuseppe Saba, CEO of the International Humanitarian City, said the first aid shipment ever sent to the disaster-stricken areas arrived in the Syrian city of Aleppo shortly after the disaster. He added that Dubai's location is very strategic, considering that it only takes a seven-hour trip to reach about two-thirds of the population of the areas affected by the earthquake.