Slovakia Sends €66,698 Worth of Material Aid to Gaza Strip Residents

Bratislava, December 28 (TASR) - Slovakia has provided 11,816 tonnes of material aid amounting to €66,698 to the residents of the Gaza Strip, thus contributing to the international effort to mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian crisis in the region, Interior Ministry's press department informed TASR on Thursday. As part of the material aid, Slovakia sent durable food, infant milk, baby food, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene packages, medicines and medical supplies to the Gaza Strip. "The donated material comes from various institutions, including the Interior Ministry, the headquarters of the Slovak Army's Ecumenical Pastoral Service, the Slovak Catholic Charity, the St. Elizabeth University and the 'People in Need' NGO," said the ministry. According to the ministry, the biggest challenge is to get the aid to the place of destination. The European Commission, through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, uses the European Humanitarian Response Capacity. Through it, it ensures safe transportation from donors and distribution of aid to the affected area through cooperation with the Egyptian Red Crescent. "On December 19, the humanitarian aid was exported from Slovakia to Belgium, from where it was airlifted to Egypt on Thursday. The entire transport process is financed from EU resources," said the ministry. ko/mcs