A UNICEF-led multi-agency humanitarian convoy was the first to enter the Iraqi city of Mosul together with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

“UNICEF has entered Mosul city for the first time in over two years” said UNICEF Iraq Deputy Representative Hamida Ramadhani. “Our teams are moving quickly to provide immediate support to communities affected by the fighting.”

A 14-vehicle convoy including eight cargo trucks filled with aid, arrived in the Gogachly neighbourhood in eastern Mosul at around 9.30 in the morning on Sunday.

The trucks were filled with enough emergency supplies to last 15,000 children and their families a total of 30,000 people for a month.

Supplies included 5,000 kits of water purification tablets, high energy biscuits, jerry cans, buckets, hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste and baby supplies, including diapers.

The distribution was completed in six hours despite nearby artillery fire and explosions that sounded almost constantly during the day.

More than 27,000 children and their families, totalling 56,000 people have been displaced to date from in and around Mosul since October 17 – and up to 1.5 million remain trapped inside the city, 600,000 of them children.

UNICEF has reached more than 30,000 children with needed assistance in re-taken communities including in eastern Mosul City since 17 October.