DRK sends relief supplies to the Gaza Strip

The German Red Cross (DRK) dispatched urgently needed humanitarian aid for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip from Leipzig/Halle Airport on Sunday. "The need for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip is enormous. It practically needs more of everything," said Christian Reuter, Secretary General of the German Red Cross (DRK), according to a press release. "With the aid flights, we are responding to the most urgent needs and supporting the work of our sister organization, the Palestinian Red Crescent, on the ground."

The DRK aid flights, organized with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office, include 1020 family tents, 1000 tarpaulins for emergency shelters, 6 pallet trucks for humanitarian logistics and 50 rescue backpacks. Around 33 tons of relief supplies were loaded in Leipzig and flown to Egypt. After landing, the materials will be transported overland to the Gaza Strip with the help of the Egyptian Red Crescent, where they will be distributed by the Palestinian Red Crescent. A second plane is also due to take off from Leipzig on Monday with around 26 tons on board.

Aid organizations have been complaining about the constantly worsening situation for the Palestinian civilian population in the sealed-off Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war as a result of the brutal terrorist attacks by the Islamist Hamas on Jews in Israel. According to the German Red Cross, there is a lack of medicine, drinking water, food, warm blankets, fuel and clothing. Most people have lost their homes or are on the run. The German Red Cross is therefore helping with medical supplies for emergency care and emergency shelters.