Damascus, 15 September 2017

United Nations supplies arrived in Deir-ez-Zor city yesterday where 93,500 people are in urgent need of assistance. After being besieged by ISIL for three years, the civilian population faced deteriorating conditions while being deprived of their rights to humanitarian aid and freedom of movement.

The UN supplies, delivered by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent by road, consisted of lifesaving items such as hygiene kits, solar lamps, plastic sheeting, and kitchen sets for 15,000 families. Wheat flour which was also part of the shipment will be dispatched shortly. The UN has also been coordinating with the national authorities to provide 4 tons of life-saving health supplies with an additional 14 tons of the most needed medicines, supplies and equipment to be sent to Deir-ez-Zor in the next few days.

The besieged areas of Deir-ez-Zor city were previously only reachable by UN airdrops, until the siege was broken resulting in road access being reopened in early September.

The UN is working with humanitarian partners to respond to those in need of assistance in Deir-ez-Zor on a regular basis, as soon as security conditions allow. In order to support the massive needs of people the city, the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria and heads of UN agencies wish to immediately visit Deir-ez-Zor to meet the Governor and local departments to review the needs as soon as the situation on the ground permits.

For further information, please contact:

Linda Tom, OCHA Public Information Officer, toml@un.org Tel: +963 953 300 095 Ghalia Seifo, OCHA Public Information Officer, seifo@un.org Tel: +963 953 300 078