WFP: Ceasefire only way for aid to reach Gaza
Rome – Saba:
The World Food Programme (WFP) on Sunday affirmed that an agreed ceasefire is the sole means for humanitarian aid, including essential food supplies, to reach all parts of the Gaza Strip in a consistent, regular, and safe manner.
The UN's food agency welcomed news on Sunday of Israel's readiness to implement humanitarian truces and establish dedicated humanitarian corridors. These measures, it stated, would facilitate the safe movement of UN convoys transporting emergency food and other assistance to Gaza residents.
The WFP reported possessing enough food in the region, or en route, to feed all Gaza residents for approximately three months. Its teams delivered 350 trucks loaded with food aid to Gaza last week, clarifying that this occurred "under extremely difficult conditions, exposing civilians and aid workers to grave danger." This number, the WFP noted, represents just over half the convoys for which it had requested permission.
Since the partial reopening of border crossings on May 21, the WFP has delivered 22,000 tons of food aid to Gaza. However, the Programme stressed that "more than 62,000 tons of food aid are needed monthly to cover the needs" of Palestinians in Gaza.
"Food aid is the only way to secure food for most of Gaza's population. One-third of the residents have not found food for days," the statement emphasized.
It further warned that "approximately 470,000 Palestinians are suffering from famine-like conditions, and 90,000 women and children require urgent nutritional treatment. People are dying due to the lack of humanitarian aid."
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