MOSCOW. Feb 16 (Interfax) - The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry will send four humanitarian convoys to Donbas in February-March, State Secretary and deputy Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Artamonov said.
"Two convoys are now ready - they will leave for Donbas on February 21 and February 28 - it's mainly children's food and medications. Convoys will also be sent on March 16 and March 23. Work is planned for the year," Artamonov said on Thursday at a meeting of the Federation Council's committee on public support for residents of southeastern Ukraine.
The Emergency Situations Ministry has already organized the sending to Donbas of 59 humanitarian convoys weighing a total of some 70,000 tonnes. It is mainly food - some 45,000 tonnes - and medications - some 18,000 tonnes.
Artamonov said 87 public organizations and the Russian regions are involved in humanitarian assistance to the people of Donbas.
Some 4,500 tonnes of cargo provided by them has been shipped via Emergency Situations Ministry humanitarian convoys.
Artamonov also said the simplified customs declaration procedure has enabled public organizations to transfer over 51,000 tonnes of cargo for Donbas.