By IINA,
Jeddah : A convoy of seven trailers full of humanitarian aid carrying a total of 170 tons of medical supplies, equipment and food items left here for Gaza yesterday. The so-called “Ground Bridge” was established by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The convoy consists of around 170 tons of medicine, medical equipment and suppliers, blankets, children’s wear, a power generator to operate and provide lighting for an entire hospital, in addition to other food supplies, and children’s milk, according to an OIC statement.
The convoy was seen off by the OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who pointed out in a speech given on the occasion that the convoy inaugurates the humanitarian ground bridge launched by the OIC in order to provide basic humanitarian needs to the population in Gaza. He added that more convoys will follow, reflecting the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah with the people of Gaza, who suffer indescribable forms of oppression, destruction and devastation.
Prof. Ihsanoglu called upon the OIC Member States, civil society organizations, and philanthropists across the Muslim world to contribute to the campaigns run by the OIC. The humanitarian bridge is conducted in cooperation and coordination with the Saudi Red Crescent Society and in conjunction with the assistance campaign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.
Earlier, OIC dispatched an aid consignment consisting of 300 tons of medicine, medical equipment, and food supplies to Gaza. The aid convoy entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing last Wednesday as part of the assistance campaign launched by the OIC Secretary General. The pan Islamic body of OIC’s move is aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the besieged Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip who are experiencing a real humanitarian catastrophe resulting from Israeli hostilities.