Around half of a Hungarian aid consignment to Iraq, primarily consisting of goods to cater for children, has arrived, Minister of State for security policy and international cooperation Istvan Mikola said on Tuesday.

He told a press conference that the humanitarian aid representing a total value of 70,000 euros is being sent to people most affected by the conflict in northern Iraq, especially members of Christian communities and other religious minorities persecuted by terrorists of the extremist organisation Islamic State. Foreign ministry spokesperson Anna Nagy said it was the task of the ministry to prepare the aid packages and send them to Iraq.

Mr Mikola said half of the aid had been delivered to the Kurdistan authorities and the local archdiocese. This included mostly medicine, infant nutrition and diapers, he said. The second half of the consignment is on its way and Hungarian civil organisations are expected to oversee the distribution of packages, he added.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tibor Navracsics said on August 10 that the Hungarian government would provide 70,000 euros worth immediate aid to Christian communities in northern Iraq and the authorities in Kurdistan.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)