As part of the relief convoy, the United Nations admitted to haphazardly send Syria refugees soiled high-energy biscuits. There were reportedly 320 out of the 650 boxes sent that arrived in two cities, namely, Zabadani and Madayya, last Oct.18 of which the expiration date was reportedly end-September this year.
According to Yacoub el Hill (Yacoub El Hillo), the coordinator of the UN Humanitarian in Syria that the error was not intended. "We can confirm that this was the result of unfortunate human error in the process of loading," he said. He further stated that the organization is dealing with the lapse committed earnestly and is fixing the situation, although Yacoub el Hill made clear that medical experts said that the cookies pose no dangerous impacts to health.
The convoy that went to these cities to extend help to refugees is a rare instance, according to reports as areas near Damascus were confined. The transport of relief aid was done after a suspension of hostilities was negotiated between the Syrian government and the militant group.
The official statement of the UN was released after fear that the biscuits sent might get people, especially children, sick. Thus, El Hillo stated that the partners of the UN have already been informed and formal request has already been sent to deliver troops to recoup the wasted cookies and send a medical team to assess, examine, and treat, if there are any, potential threats.
European crisis started when a civil war in Syria broke in 2011, thereby displacing thousands of people. Reports estimate that more than half a million Syrians have requested asylum in European countries.
