Oman airlifts humanitarian aid into Yemen

Oman on Wednesday began airlifting relief supplies into neighbouring Yemen as part of a humanitarian mission targeting internally displaced Yemenis sheltering in three southern provinces of the strife-torn country. The operation was organised by Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO), the state-run charity agency which oversees all national and international humanitarian missions on behalf of the Omani government. Five aircraft A fleet of five transport aircraft of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) were enlisted in carrying a total of 1,058 tons of relief supplies comprising foodstuff, medicines, medical equipment and other emergency supplies. The aid is destined for refugee camps in the governorates of Abyan, Aden and Lahj housing an estimated 21,000 internally displaced Yemenis. On the ground in Yemen, OCO is coordinating its humanitarian mission with the Omani Consulate in Aden, the Central Commission for Assisting Refugees, and the Yemeni Red Crescent Association, among other organisations. Meanwhile, OCO is also firming plans to dispatch 16 consignments of humanitarian supplies to drought-ravaged Somalia during September as part of a mission ordered by the Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos. The operation, which is intended to benefit an estimated 30,000 Somalis, will be undertaken in coordination with the Somali Embassy in the Sultanate and the representative office of the Arab League in Somalia.