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Russian servicemen deliver humanitarian aid to refugee center in Latakia

Refugees received packages with individual food ratios, canned fish and meat, sugar, flour, dry milk and cereals

LATAKIA (Syria), April 26. /TASS/. Russian servicemen have delivered around 1.5 tons of humanitarian aid to a refugee center in the Syrian city of Latakia, head of the group for forming and delivering humanitarian cargoes of the Russian Coordination center to reconcile the warring parties in Syria Lt. Col. Vitaly Verbitsky said on Tuesday.

"A meeting was held with representatives of Latakia’s governor, and we chose this region not on accident but considering the fact that here are refugees from the settlements of Fua and Kefraya in the Idlib province which are now blocked by illegal armed groups. That’s why we decided to help precisely these 50 families," Verbitsky said.

Refugees received packages with individual food ratios, canned fish and meat, sugar, flour, dry milk and cereals. Children received sweets - waffles, cookies and candy. Russian military medics set up a mobile medical center and provided necessary assistance to everyone who needed it.

According to Verbitsky, refugees arrived from the region of military actions just a week ago and are still getting used to peaceful life. The humanitarian aid is also supposed to help them adapt in a new place and demonstrate friendship between Russian and Syrian peoples.

"Talking about Russian humanitarian aid, it is, of course, very useful and very necessary, as need any kind of support, any help. Russian humanitarian aid is a great symbol of friendship for us, it reminds us and gives us hope that Russia is with us, that Russia will not refuse us, and that our mutual cooperation will strengthen," director of Latakia’s committee on refugees Sahar Issa told reporters.

She reminded that before the war, around 1 million people lived in this province, adding that around 950,000 arrived to Latakia since the start of military actions in the country. The population thus has grown by two times which affects regional infrastructure, she noted. "We face great pressure on infrastructure, on services. There is not enough food, that’s why we are completely coordinating our actions with the Syrian government, with humanitarian organization, so that we can do everything possible," she concluded.

The ceasefire regime took effect in Syria on February 27. Shortly before, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution supporting cessation of hostilities. The document drafted by Russia and the United States was backed by all 15 Security Council member states. The ceasefire regime does not cover the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations as well as other groups designated as terrorist by the Security Council.