French court grants early release to former President Nicolas Sarkozy    Egypt releases 2023 State of Environment Report    Egypt says Gulf investment flows jumped to $41bn in 2023/24    Al-Sisi meets representatives of 52 global tech firms to boost ICT investments    Egyptians vote in 1st stage of lower house of parliament elections    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Russian security chief discuss Gaza, Ukraine and bilateral ties    Lebanese president says negotiations are only way forward with Israel    Madbouly seeks stronger Gulf investment ties to advance Egypt's economic growth    Grand Egyptian Museum welcomes over 12,000 visitors on seventh day    Egypt to issue $1.5 billion in dollar-denominated treasury bills – CBE    Egypt's private medical insurance tops EGP 13b amid regulatory reforms – EHA chair    Egypt, Saudi Arabia ink executive programme to expand joint tourism initiatives    Egypt's monthly inflation rises 1.3% in Oct, annual rate eases to 10.1%: CAPMAS    Egypt, US's Merit explore local production of medical supplies, export expansion    400 children with disabilities take part in 'Their Right to Joy' marathon    Egypt repatriates 36 smuggled ancient artefacts from the US    Grand Egyptian Museum attracts 18k visitors on first public opening day    'Royalty on the Nile': Grand Ball of Monte-Carlo comes to Cairo    Egypt, Albania discuss expanding healthcare cooperation    VS-FILM Festival for Very Short Films Ignites El Sokhna    Egypt's cultural palaces authority launches nationwide arts and culture events    Egypt launches Red Sea Open to boost tourism, international profile    Qatar to activate Egypt investment package with Matrouh deal in days: Cabinet    Hungary, Egypt strengthen ties as Orbán anticipates Sisi's 2026 visit    Egypt's PM pledges support for Lebanon, condemns Israeli strikes in the south    Omar Hisham Talaat: Media partnership with 'On Sports' key to promoting Egyptian golf tourism    Egypt establishes high-level committee, insurance fund to address medical errors    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Madinaty Golf Club to host 104th Egyptian Open    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Al-Sisi: Cairo to host Gaza reconstruction conference in November    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Red Cross gets aid to Syria cities but needs truce
ICRC delivered food and other supplies to the Syrian cities of Homs and Idlib on Tuesday but said better security was needed before the aid could be distributed to needy civilians
Published in Ahram Online on 28 - 02 - 2012

It is vital that both Syrian authorities and opposition groups agree to implement a daily humanitarian ceasefire to allow in life-saving aid, The International Committee of the Red Cross said. "We managed to bring relief material into Homs city and Idlib today which was handed over to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent branches in both cities to be distributed as soon as possible," ICRC spokesman Hicham Hassan said in Geneva. "It needs suitable security conditions.
"That is why it is essential to implement our initiative of a humanitarian ceasefire so the assistance can be distributed to all people in need of help," he added.
Syrian forces shelled opposition strongholds, killing at least 25 people, on Tuesday. Neither the ICRC nor volunteers of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent were able to enter the besieged Homs district of Baba Amro, Hassan said.
Ambulances of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent evacuated three people from Baba Amro on Monday, an elderly woman, and a pregnant woman and her husband, the ICRC said.
A wounded British photographer was smuggled out of Homs into neighbouring Lebanon. The aid delivered by the ICRC on Tuesday included enough food for several thousand people for one month as well as blankets, soap and other hygiene material, Hassan said.
The ICRC, the only agency to deploy international aid workers in Syria, issued a public appeal a week ago for a daily two-hour cessation of hostilities. "People need to have a daily window during which they know they will receive the necessary help," Hassan said.


Clic here to read the story from its source.