New York Times: Agreement Clears the Way for Airdrops of Humanitarian Aid in Syria
“Most of the Russian and American aircraft traversing Syria have been warplanes firing missiles and dropping bombs. But under an international agreement to aid Syrians trapped in the fighting, Russian planes will soon be dropping food in an operation partly financed by the United States…” (Cumming-Bruce/Sengupta, 2/18).

Reuters: U.N. aims to air drop food to IS-besieged city in eastern Syria
“The United Nations plans to make its first air drops of food and other aid in Syria, to Deir al-Zor, an eastern city of 200,000 besieged by Islamic State militants, the chair of a U.N. humanitarian task force said on Thursday…” (2/18).

Reuters: U.N. Syria envoy says wants to ‘work on’ expanding aid air drops
“U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Thursday the United Nations wanted to ‘work on’ the idea of air drops of aid to besieged Syrians in different areas of the country…” (2/18).

U.N. News Centre: Syria: humanitarian air drops ‘very concrete proposal,’ says U.N. envoy
“…He added that the main goal is getting to ‘all of the millions in hard to reach areas,’ including Aleppo, where the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) [Thursday] reported that intense fighting continues, including through aerial bombardments…” (2/18).

VOA News: U.N. Set to Air-drop Food to Syrian Area Held by IS
“…The United Nations has repeatedly called for all parties in Syria to allow unhindered humanitarian access. U.N. officials estimate 13.5 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance. Another 4.6 million Syrians have fled the country as refugees since early 2011…” (2/18).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

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