[ad_1]
An American humanitarian convoy reached Rukban refugee camp in Syria on Saturday, where thousands of people are stranded in the desert, near the border with Jordan, said a local council member of the camp.
"The first convoys entered the camp," said Abu Abdullah, a civilian council member who runs the camp and coordinated with the U.N. convoys of humanitarian aid.
The United Nations said they were delivering food, hygiene and sanitation products, as well as nutrition and health care to 50,000 people in Rukban, an area controlled by the United Nations. rebels, as part of an operation that is expected to last three to four days.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent is also participating in the convoy, which will also include an emergency vaccination campaign of 10,000 children against measles, polio and other diseases, a statement from the United Kingdom said.
"Although this much-needed benefit is a significant achievement, a long-term solution must be found for the many civilians living in Rukban," said Ali al-Za 'tari, US resident and aid coordinator in Syria.
The US State Department welcomed this news.
"We also recognize Russia's role in persuading the regime to finally comply with United Nations Security Council authorizations for the delivery of cross-border humanitarian aid by issuing the necessary administrative authorizations for the movement of this convoy, "said Heather Nauert, spokeswoman for the state department, in a statement. .
"We hope to see Russia use its influence with the regime to address the continuing lack of humanitarian access in much of Syria," she added.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, more than half a million people have died in the Syrian conflict and half of the pre-war population has fled their homes, including more than 5 million in # 39; abroad.
Rukban, located near the US Tanf military base in the desert near the borders of Syria, Jordan and Iraq, is home to more than 50,000 people whose last aid convoy arrived in January.
The camp was besieged last month on the Syrian side of the border by the Syrian army, preventing smugglers and traders from delivering food.
Although a rebel group backed by the United States controls the region, it relies on the Jordanian border and is surrounded by the Syrian army.
Jordan has blocked aid that crosses the border after allowing January delivery to its territory and said that she should not be held responsible for the living conditions in the camp.
US rescue trucks had planned to send assistance to Rukban a week ago after obtaining Damascus' authorization, but were delayed for logistical and security reasons, have declared the United Nations.
Shortages of food and medicine in the camp have left at least a dozen people dead in recent weeks; The United Nations described conditions in the region as "worrying" and said that thousands of lives were in danger.
Since Russia went to war in Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad in 2015, Assad has recovered large tracts of land. The insurgents of the Islamic State, which once controlled much of Syria, have lost most of their territory. The front lines between the remaining disputed areas appear to have stabilized for the moment.
However, many refugees and internally displaced persons are afraid to return home because of poor living conditions, their recruitment into the army or possible retaliation.
