The European Union said today it continues to step up its emergency assistance to the Palestinian people. ‘The EU is now launching an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge operation consisting of several flights to Egypt to bring lifesaving supplies to humanitarian organizations on the ground in Gaza,’ it said in a statement. The first two flights will take place this week, carrying humanitarian cargo from UNICEF including shelter items, medicines and hygiene kits. ‘This operation via the European Humanitarian Response Capacity will facilitate the delivery of assistance to people in need in Gaza. Additional emergency items from EU emergency stockpiles are available and ready to be deployed to our humanitarian partners as soon as requested,’ it said, explaining that the EU tripled its humanitarian assistance to over pound 75 million to support civilians in need in Gaza. The funding will be channeled through selected EU humanitarian partners operating on the ground taking into account capacity and access, said the statement.

Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA