Turkey to send 37,000 tons of flour to Syria

ANKARA

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç. AA Photo

The Turkish government decided to send some 37,000 tons of flour to conflict-stricken Syria, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç announced late on Monday following a Cabinet meeting.

The decision comes after at least 60 people were reported to have been killed in a regime air strike on a bakery in the town of Halfaya, in the central province of Hama, on Sunday.

 A decree for food assistance to Syria was signed during the Cabinet meeting, Arınç, who is also the spokesperson for the government said.

“What is being lived in Syria is a humanitarian tragedy. It is in a very difficult situation economically. Unfortunately, the Syrian administration is blocking transfer of aid to civilian people. Turkey has signed a decree for donating around 36,000-37,000 tons of flour which is equivalent to 50,000 tons of wheat. Turkish Grain Board is authorized,” Arınç said.

The flour will be handed over to the Turkish Red Crescent Society (Kızılay) in order to be delivered to civilians and transportation and distribution will be handled by Kızılay, he added.