The United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to 50,000 People in Menbij, Aleppo Governorate

Today, the United Nations and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) are conducting an interagency convoy to Menbij and surrounding areas in northeast Aleppo Governorate, carrying humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of 50,000 people.

A total of 37 trucks carried 862 metric tons of food, non-food items, education materials, nutrition and medical supplies that will be distributed to those most in need by SARC in coming days.

Female-headed households, people living with disabilities as well as those living in informal settlements - all considered particularly vulnerable – will be prioritized in the distribution, based on an assessment of needs. Medical supplies will be delivered to public health facilities that provide healthcare to people in need.

“This is the first time we manage to deliver assistance to Menbij through Aleppo and one of the factors that made it possible was the collaboration and support by all the parties in the area. This was a lengthy, complicated process due to the circumstances on the ground so we are very happy to have succeeded, especially as the needs are extremely high”, said Mr. Fran Equiza, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Syria.

Among the supplies to be distributed are 10,000 ready-to-eat rations, 10,000 dry food rations, 10,000 blankets, 5,850 dignity kits, 5,000 school bags and stationery kits, 2,000 winter clothing kits and 765 cartons of supplementary feeding products to prevent and treat malnutrition.

The food supplies will cover the needs of 50,000 people for approximately 30 days, while the medical supplies consisting of a range of life-saving medicines, will suffice to treat 81,000 people.

Menbij and surroundings, some 25 kilometers west of the Euphrates River, have witnessed periods of heightened hostilities and large-scale displacement throughout the Syria crisis.

Humanitarian response has been limited in the area and despite a gradual cease in hostilities in the past two years, needs remain high.

The United Nations calls for sustained and unimpeded access to the Menbij area to facilitate regular delivery of assistance and services to meet the needs of the population.