BAGHDAD, Dec. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - In the single largest humanitarian aid delivery in eastern Mosul since the current conflict began, the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) yesterday provided food, dignity kits, water purification tablets, jerry cans, baby hygiene kits and more for 42,000 people in eastern Mosul. For the first time in over two weeks, security conditions have allowed humanitarian agencies to reach families living in the suburbs of eastern Mosul, many of whom are in desperate need of assistance.
As part of the interagency operation, WFP provided ready-to-eat food rations to meet the immediate food needs for six days for people living in eastern Mosul. UNFPA provided dignity kits for women, and UNICEF delivered one month's supply of water purification tablets, high energy biscuits, jerry cans, baby hygiene kits and leaflets with information on child protection and basic mine awareness. The distribution took eight hours to safely gather families and provide them with food and humanitarian supplies.
"Access and security are the biggest concerns facing the entire humanitarian community trying to assist families affected by the conflict," said Sally Haydock, Country Director and WFP Representative in Iraq. "WFP knows food is running out inside Mosul, and being able to assist so many families in need in eastern Mosul is a great relief."
"I saw thousands of happy welcoming children today, it was a very large and important distribution which allowed us to reach more than 21,000 children in eastern Mosul," said Bastien Vigneau, UNICEF's Regional Emergency Advisor who coordinated the aid delivery. "Next, we need to focus on delivering longer-term services to these areas to restore acceptable living conditions for children there."
"UNFPA is working around the clock to provide immediate relief to women and girls affected by the current conflict whenever security allows," said Nestor Owomuhangi, UNFPA Deputy Representative. "The dignity kits that we have managed to distribute today to over 9,000 women and girls include feminine hygiene products, basic clothing like a dress and head cover. They offer more than the basic requirements as they allow women to take care of their well-being and enable them to gain confidence to get out of their tents or houses to seek other available services."
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About WFP
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries. Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media and @wfp_mena
About UNFPA
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Visit www.unfpa.org
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.
UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca.
SOURCE UNICEF Canada
Image with caption: "Operations by UN partners, including UNICEF, get underway in the single largest humanitarian aid delivery in eastern Mosul since the current conflict began. WFP/Haider Alithawi. (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161209_C6473_PHOTO_EN_835726.jpg
To arrange interviews or for more information please contact:Stefanie Carmichael, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8866, 437-345-6324 (mobile), [email protected]
UNICEF is the world’s leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach...
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