Italy sends humanitarian aid to Kurdistan Region

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Italian government sent three planes of humanitarian assistance to the Kurdistan Region to help areas affected by the earthquake.

Since a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook the Kurdistan Region, particularly the Sulaimani and Halabja provinces on November 12, Italy has sent three planes of humanitarian aid to the Region through the Sulaimani International Airport.

According to the Italian Consulate General in Erbil, on November 15, the first emergency response plane arrived in Sulaimani, followed by two other aircrafts on November 16 carrying 25 tons of relief materials.

“In response to the request for help from the authorities of the Kurdistan Region, we have organized a second humanitarian flight with the Italian Cooperation service to help the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Iraq and Iran,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano in a statement on Thursday.

The plane was “carrying more than 10 tons of aid for the populations struck by the earthquake, including first-aid kits, tents, blankets and other relief supplies such as hygiene kits and cooking utensils,” the statement added.

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Minister of Health, Rekawt Rashid, who was present when the humanitarian assistance landed in Sulaimani Airport, thanked the people and the government of Italy for their help

“The medical assistance provided by Italy is the most needed for us now,” Rashid told Kurdistan 24 correspondent.  

The third plane arrived late night Thursday containing 10 tons of medicines and medical supplies, the Health Minister stated.

Editing by Nadia Riva