Urgent Need to Increase Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, World Food Programme States

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), there is an urgent need to significantly increase the number of humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza daily. This increase is critical to address some of the most basic needs of the population. The WFP's statement on Wednesday highlights the severity of the situation brought on by the five-month conflict that has profoundly impacted the Gaza Strip.

Crisis in Gaza

A dire warning from the United Nations suggests that a widespread famine in Gaza is almost unavoidable without immediate and substantial action. The ongoing military operations have led to insecurity and limitations on the delivery of essential supplies, causing an acute food shortage in the region. Over 30,000 lives have been claimed by the conflict, as per health officials in Gaza.

Logistical Challenges and Security Concerns

Carl Skau, the Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at WFP, emphasized the need to double the current level of aid. "We are now at around 150 trucks. We need a minimum of 300 trucks a day coming in," Skau stated in an interview. He also mentioned that over time, supplementing aid with commercial supplies will become necessary.

Prior to the conflict, Gaza relied on 500 trucks daily for supplies. The recent disruption has crippled Gaza's ability to maintain civil order, which poses a significant challenge for aid delivery. Armed gangs are taking advantage of the absence of security, and there have been instances of food convoys being looted by desperate residents. Coordination with Israeli authorities is required to navigate through checkpoints into northern Gaza, which has also proven to be problematic.

Skau revealed that the WFP's recent attempt to deliver food to northern Gaza was thwarted when their 14-truck convoy was turned back by the Israeli Defence Force, with no reason provided. Moreover, after being rerouted, the convoy faced looting from crowds, resulting in the loss of approximately 200 tons of food. Despite these setbacks, the WFP remains committed to resuming deliveries and has supplies ready to support the population for the next three months, with the capability to scale up immediately if conditions permit.

The organization is eagerly waiting for conditions to stabilize to an extent where delivering aid becomes feasible again, and they reaffirm their determination to serve the people of Gaza as soon as possible.

humanitarian, aid, Gaza