Russia to continue humanitarian aid to war-torn Syria

Russia will continue its humanitarian aid to Syria, the Russian foreign ministry said on Thursday. The Russian side “is regularly rendering humanitarian aid to Syria’s population, which has been suffering hardships for three years because of armed confrontation between the government forces and militants from illegal armed groups, murderous terrorist attacks and stifling unilateral financial and economic sanctions imposed against Damascus by a number of states,” the ministry noted. “Such aid is delivered not only by the Russian emergencies ministry as part of government policy but also by socio-political and religious organization which cannot stand aloof to the problems of the friendly Syrian people.” Several days ago, Russia delivered another batch of humanitarian aid to Syria, including medical equipment, clothing and foods. Funds to sponsor this batch were raised by the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society. “In late June 2013, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill called on all Russian Orthodox Church parishes to organize money raising to help people suffering from the armed conflict in Syria,” the ministry said. “The campaign raised 1.3 million U.S. dollars.” Russia “will continue active work to offer all necessary humanitarian aid to Syria, including as part of consolidated efforts of various international organizations,” the ministry stressed.