Over 4,300 aid trucks entered Gaza through Rafah since war start: Egypt Red Crescent

Ahram Online , Sunday 24 Dec 2023

More than 4,300 trucks reached Gaza with food aid, relief materials, and medical supplies through the Rafah border crossing in Egypt since the start of the Gaza war in October, the Head of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) in North Sinai Dr Khaled Zaki said.

 Rafah border crossing,
file photo - A fuel truck on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, drives toward the southern Gaza Strip.AFP

 

In statements to Egyptian Youm 7 News website, Zaki stated that the trucks’ cargo included 600 tons of gas and 2,000 tons of solar energy equipment.

Around 790 young volunteers from the ERC in North Sinai are working around the clock to receive aid shipments by land, air, and sea in Arish, he explained.

The ERC also provided field training to 50 young volunteers from North Sinai in humanitarian work during emergencies and disasters, he said, adding that they are now highly proficient in doing so.

The volunteers unload, prepare, and accompanies the aid, all marked with the ERC emblem, until it reaches Palestinian territory.

ERC teams are working at Arish Airport, the land crossings in Rafah, Al-Auja, and Karm Abu Salem; the logistical warehouses in Arish; the hospitals as well as accommodation sites for those stranded and the main headquarters, he explained.

So far, the ERC has received 335 planes carrying aid from more than 33 countries and relief organizations, including Kuwait, Turkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Algeria, Jordan, Iraq, Indonesia, France, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain, England, Brazil, Tunisia, Venezuela, India, Kenya, Colombia, Malaysia, Greece, Libya, Turkmenistan, Poland, Denmark, Oman, Chechnya, Belgium, Germany, and the United States.

These shipments, including a variety of relief and medical supplies, as well as food, ambulances, and tents.

Additionally, approximately 2,000 trucks carrying aid have arrived from across Egypt.

In addition to their role in transporting and preparing aid, Red Crescent teams have provided psychological support to about 1,000 wounded Palestinians en route to be treated in Egyptian hospitals, Zaki added.

Psychological support is also provided for 70 families from Gaza, currently staying in Arish until they can return to their homes in the Sabil district west of Arish.

Moreover, psychological support is extended to 30 recovered patients from Gaza residing in the recovery centre established by the state in Arish at the Sinai Sports Club headquarters.

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