27 October 2014
DAMASCUS – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) handed over to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) this week a donation of 15 trucks, 2 four-wheel drive vehicles and 23 protective jackets and helmets to enhance the capacity of volunteers to continue to carry out their work of delivering humanitarian assistance across Syria.
This is the second time that WFP has provided SARC with logistics support, which now totals over US$4 million. In 2013, WFP provided its largest partner in Syria with 20 cargo trucks.
“We thank the World Food Programme for its continuous support to SARC operations”, said the SARC President Dr. Abdul Rahman Attar, “The needs now are overwhelming and such contribution are of great importance in helping our volunteers to carry out their work and reach vulnerable people across the country”.
“Throughout this conflict, WFP has united with SARC to help avert a massive food crisis,” said WFP Country Director in Syria, Matthew Hollingworth. “The courage and dedication of the SARC volunteers who partner with WFP everyday cannot be undervalued. These donations will raise SARC’s capacity, and thereby enhance the entire humanitarian community capacity to safely reach people in need across Syria.”
WFP has been working in Syria since the onset of the conflict targeting over 4.2 million people every month with food assistance. SARC distributes approximately half of WFP’s lifesaving food assistance in all of Syria’s 14 governorates.
About WFP: WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food in emergencies and working with communities to build resilience. In 2013, WFP assisted more than 80 million people in 75 countries.
About Syrian Arab Red Crescent: The Syrian Arab Red Crescent is an independent humanitarian organization of public utility with an honorary status. It enjoys financial and administrative independence.
The SARC was founded in 1942 as a humanitarian association. It was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva (ICRC) in 1946. It has its headquarters in Damascus, with 14 branches and several sub-branches spread out in the governorates.
