The Russian Red Cross (RKK) has formalized its collaboration with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent through a memorandum of understanding and has launched a second humanitarian mission to assist communities affected by the earthquake in Syria. This cooperation brings together national societies to deliver coordinated, high‑quality relief in emergencies and humanitarian crises, enhancing the reach and impact of aid across borders.
According to officials, the memorandum marks a renewed commitment to joint action. The head of the RKK, Pavel Savchuk, and the president of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Khaled Khboubati, were among the signatories, underscoring a shared resolve to scale up response efforts. The initiative follows the successful first mission in Latakia, which began in March 2022, and signals a broader, more comprehensive relief program now being implemented.
In this latest phase, organizers aim to reach significantly more earthquake survivors. They plan to distribute aid on a larger scale, provide essential medical services, and extend psychosocial support to people in Latakia and nearby communities. The mission priorities include aiding vulnerable families, ensuring continued access to basic necessities, and stabilizing communities during the ongoing recovery period.
A notable gesture accompanying the mission is the donation of a mobile humanitarian aid station to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. Savchuk highlighted that similar mobile units had previously operated successfully in the Belgorod region and during the first Syria mission, illustrating a proven model for rapid response and flexible deployment in crisis zones.
Beyond Syria, the RKK has ongoing commitments in Russia related to fire response and support for residents affected by conflict and displacement. Officials noted that aid operations are continuing as part of broader actions connected to the Ukrainian crisis, with plans to start direct disbursements of supplies to residents of the Belgorod region. In contrast, the collaboration with Syrian partners remains a global effort, ready to assist in large-scale disasters with substantial humanitarian needs.
The RKK delegation comprises thirteen members, including volunteer physicians, specialists in psychosocial care, and emergency response experts. Over the coming two weeks, the team will deliver relief to earthquake survivors and will focus on distributing essential nutrition supplies, including infant formula and baby foods, to families most in need. A core aspect of the mission is providing qualified medical care to address injuries and public health concerns arising from the disaster, aiming to reduce preventable health risks and support local medical facilities during the recovery phase.