China offers Syria $3.3m worth of humanitarian aid

The Chinese embassy in Damascus confirmed Saturday that China has pledged to provide Syria with 20 million RMB worth (3.3 million U.S. dollars) of humanitarian aid, with the first batch of the aid having arrivd on Friday. The Chinese ambassador in Syria said the relief mainly consisted of blankets and quilts, which are essential for the millions of internal dislocated Syrians who are battling an exceptionally harsh winter. A cargo plane arrived in the Damascus International Airport Friday with the first batch of goods, while the second shipment is due to arrive early Sunday, Zhang Xun said. According to Zhang, on the receiving end of the relief is the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, who 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 fled to neighboring countries exceeded 2.3 million while 4.25 million are internal dislocated.