Third convoy of relief aid sent to Iraq

A convoy of trucks carrying relief aid from the Turkish Red Crescent to 500 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Iraq crossed into the country on Monday morning. "Winter is approaching fast and these people need to have some supplies in stock," the deputy director-general of the Turkish Red Crescent, Oktay Ergunay, told IRIN in the Turkish capital, Ankara. At a total cost of US $330,000, this was the third time the Turkish Red Crescent had sent aid to Iraq. The present consignment would be transported in five stages and would eventually supply 2,500 IDPs in the capital, Baghdad. The convoy of six trucks is carrying 2,000 mattresses, tents, blankets, stoves and packets of food for 500 people, along with medical supplies. "We will be sending the next round of supplies for an additional 500 people in 10 days' time," Ergunay said. The convoys had crossed into Iraq from the Silopi border crossing in southeastern Turkey, where they were met by representatives from the Iraqi Red Crescent, who then accompanied them to Baghdad, he explained. In an effort to keep humanitarian aid flowing for needy Iraqis, Ergunay said the Red Crescent had appealed to the Turkish people. "We are also asking the Turkish people to donate materials as this is a crucial time for the Iraqi people. There are not many NGOs working inside the country due to security, and people are in need of help," he stressed. Turning to security concerns, he said: "The Iraqi people have welcomed the Turkish Red Crescent into their country, but we are still careful as there are groups operating which could cause problems, as security is deteriorating inside the country." This third convoy of trucks is going into Iraq at a time when Turkey has said it is keen to extend humanitarian aid to its neighbour, but is facing stiff opposition to the possibility of Turkish troops being deployed inside Iraq at the request of the US. Last week, a bomb exploded outside the Turkish embassy in Baghdad soon after the Turkish parliament voted in favour of sending troops to Iraq. There has been no clear indication as to how many troops will be sent to Iraq or when they will be deployed.