UN humanitarian aid convoy of 21 trucks enters Syria’s Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – A new UN humanitarian aid convoy entered on Friday Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria, through Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey.
An informed source told North Press that a UN aid convoy consists of 21 trucks entered areas held by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) and it is meant for earthquake-affected people.
The convoy included three trucks carrying foodstuff, five carrying tents and 13 carrying flour, according to the source.
The trucks were delivered to the Turkish Shafak organization, the source added.
In the last two weeks, the administration of Bab al-Hawa border crossing announced 275 humanitarian aid trucks entered northwest Syria after the devastating earthquake that hit the region on February 6.
Despite the large amount of local and international aid that is reaching northwest Syria, hundreds of quake-affected people still suffer from aid shortage.
A source told North Press that the aid enters Bab al-Hawa crossing goes directly to HTS warehouses.
In addition, most of aid delivered to areas under the control of Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, also known as Syrian National Army (SNA) gets stolen, according to the source.
The HTS dominates the work of relief organizations in north Syria through its Development Office, which oversees all relief projects and camp support programs as well as health and service programs, according to sources.
The Development Office cuts 20 to 30 percent of the value of humanitarian assistance that enters northwest Syria. The remaining quantities are deposited in the Turkish Waqf warehouses or the Development Office under the supervision of the HTS.
Devastated areas in Jindires and Idlib have transformed into big markets for tents and food parcels, which are traded by supervisors and executives of the HTS and SNA.