2nd batch of Chinese aid arrives in Damascus

DAMASCUS - A cargo plane arrived in Damascus Sunday carrying around 100 tons of aid from China, the country's second batch of humanitarian aid sent in two days.

The shipment largely consists of winter blankets, which are essential for the millions of displaced people to cope with the unusually cold winter this year.

The first batch of Chinese aid (11 tons) arrived here on Friday. The Chinese embassy in Damascus confirmed recently that China had pledged to provide Syria with 20 million RMB worth ($3.3 million) of humanitarian aid.

The Chinese ambassador to Syria, Zhang Xun, said the relief mainly consisted of blankets and quilts, adding that the receiving end of the relief is the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, which will organize and oversee the distribution of the aid.

According to the latest statistics from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the number of Syrian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, has exceeded 2.3 million, while 4.25 million Syrians are internal dislocated.