(Brussels) – A cargo aircraft with 40 tons of emergency supplies for Mosul residents landed in Erbil, Iraq, this morning. Such aids will be delivered through the European Union’s social defence mechanism. A notice posted by the Brussels Commission says that the plane carried “268 family-size tents to accommodate up to 1400 people, 3 thousand blankets, mattresses, toiletries and baby stuff”, donated by Finland, 85% of the transport of which has been co-funded by the European Union in an operation led by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (Ercc). This is the first in a series of operations jointly organised by the EU Commission and the member states; a second cargo aircraft will go to Erbil tomorrow to bring another 100 tents, 10 thousand blankets and one thousand cooking sets donated by Austria. On 14^th December, tents, blankets, toiletries, school and medical materials donated by Sweden and Denmark will go there too. “Due to continuing conflict, lifesaving humanitarian efforts have been increased to concentrate on the more vulnerable population, trapped in conflict zones, such as Mosul, Telafar and Hawidja” and in the reoccupied areas, the notice explains. “Supplies cope with the winter climate, for emergency healthcare” and to treat combat stress reactions are still badly needed. In 2016, the EU Commission had already provided 134 million euros’ worth of humanitarian funds.

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