Stressing that partners on the ground could not expose the lives of the 60 volunteers who were in that open landing zone and would receive the supplies and distribute them, she said:
5.5 million people still without water
Ms. Luescher said that WFP has conducted 177 airdrops into Deir ez-Zor since April. The agency has provided nearly 3,300 metric tonnes of food and other aid, including supplies from other relief organizations, for the 110,000 residents of the city.
Responding to questions she stated that because air drops could only deliver small amounts, they need to be done on an almost continuous basis.
Meanwhile, the United Nations reports that water remains cut off from Ain El Fijeh, depriving 5.5 million people in Damascus and surrounding areas from their main water source since 22 December.
The UN stands ready to provide additional support to ensure the swift repair of the water infrastructure, a UN spokesperson added.
