This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/10/united-nations-aid-syria-iraq

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UN to fly aid supplies to Syria from Iraq UN to fly aid supplies to Syria from Iraq
(about 9 hours later)
The United Nations' first relief airlift to Syria from Iraq will deliver food and winter supplies to the mostly Kurdish north-east this week with the permission of both governments, the UNHCR refugee agency has said.The United Nations' first relief airlift to Syria from Iraq will deliver food and winter supplies to the mostly Kurdish north-east this week with the permission of both governments, the UNHCR refugee agency has said.
Ilyushin-76 commercial cargo planes will fly from Arbil, in northern Iraq, to Hassakeh. Amin Awad, director of UNHCR's Middle East and North Africa bureau, said up to 12 flights were scheduled from Thursday to Sunday. Ilyushin-76 commercial cargo planes will fly from Arbil, in northern Iraq, to Hassakeh. Amin Awad, director of UNHCR's Middle East and north Africa bureau, said up to 12 flights were scheduled from Thursday to Sunday.
UN agencies have ferried limited aid supplies into Syria from Lebanon, but not via Turkey because of objections from the Syrian government. "This is the first time aid goes through Iraq," Awad said.UN agencies have ferried limited aid supplies into Syria from Lebanon, but not via Turkey because of objections from the Syrian government. "This is the first time aid goes through Iraq," Awad said.
Syria gave permission about two weeks ago for the operation, which initially was to have involved truck convoys via the Yarubiya border crossing, a cheaper option.Syria gave permission about two weeks ago for the operation, which initially was to have involved truck convoys via the Yarubiya border crossing, a cheaper option.
"As the situation was very complicated, negotiating with many factions, we shifted to an airlift," Awad said, noting that one main Kurdish group in the area was pro-Syrian government and the other pro-Turkish."As the situation was very complicated, negotiating with many factions, we shifted to an airlift," Awad said, noting that one main Kurdish group in the area was pro-Syrian government and the other pro-Turkish.
The cities of Hassakeh and Qamishli are to receive food and relief items as a harsh winter grips the region. A UNHCR spokesman said the cargo would also include blankets, kitchen sets, plastic tarpaulins for shelter, sleeping mats, and jerry cans.The cities of Hassakeh and Qamishli are to receive food and relief items as a harsh winter grips the region. A UNHCR spokesman said the cargo would also include blankets, kitchen sets, plastic tarpaulins for shelter, sleeping mats, and jerry cans.
Awad said: "The number of vulnerable people in Hassakeh is estimated at 50,000-60,000 but we are still doing assessments. Hassakeh has been out of reach for a long time." He said the UN was still "lining up airlines that are willing to fly into that part of the country". Awad said: "The number of vulnerable people in Hassakeh is estimated at 50,000-60,000 but we are still doing assessments. Hassakeh has been out of reach for a long time." He said the UN was still "lining up airlines that are willing to fly into that part of the country".
More than 100,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Syria, which began with peaceful protests against the president, Bashar al-Assad, in March 2011. The UNHCR says about 6.5 million people have fled their homes within Syria and 2.3 million have sought refuge abroad.More than 100,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Syria, which began with peaceful protests against the president, Bashar al-Assad, in March 2011. The UNHCR says about 6.5 million people have fled their homes within Syria and 2.3 million have sought refuge abroad.
"Winter is here. This is one of the harshest winters according to any forecast that you may get hold of, probably in the last 100 years," Awad said."Winter is here. This is one of the harshest winters according to any forecast that you may get hold of, probably in the last 100 years," Awad said.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.