Two new EU humanitarian aid flights for the citizens of Gaza departed today from Ostend (Belgium) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates), carrying nearly 115 tons of supplies to Egypt, near the Rafah border crossing.

Earlier today, Commissioner for Crisis Management Jannes Lenarcic visited the site, was briefed on the cargo delivered by humanitarian partners (Doctors of the World, United Nations Population Fund and representatives of France, who are donating essential humanitarian medical supplies) . The supplies will be flown from Ostend by a flight organized by the EU-International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) coordination platform.

The cargo from Dubai will carry logistical items such as refrigerators and containers. These items were purchased by the EU and donated to the World Food Program (WFP) to strengthen the logistical capacity of the Egyptian Red Crescent and facilitate aid operations in the region.

A total of eight EU flights have carried over 320 tonnes of humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza.