UN food program warns US’ aid pier to Gaza risks failing
The UN World Food Program has said that the US’ new pier project delivering aid into Gaza risks failing if Israel does not provide the essential conditions for humanitarian efforts, according to Asharq Al-Awsat and agencies on May 22nd.
Only three days after the pier began operations, deliveries were stopped after aid trucks heading for a warehouse in central Gaza were looted by desperate crowds.
While the circumstances remain unclear video footage appears to show civilians gathering around the trucks and taking supplies.
A man was reportedly killed in the incident.
UN Food Agency spokesperson Steve Taravella said, “Without sufficient supplies entering Gaza, these issues will continue to surface. Community acceptance and trust that this is not a one-off event are essential for this operation’s success.
“We have raised this issue with the relevant parties and reiterated our request for alternative roads to facilitate aid delivery. Unless we receive the necessary clearance and coordination to use additional routes, this operation may not be successful” he added.
The organisation is reportedly working with US security forces to review an alternative route to deliver aid.
Approximately 569 metric tons of aid are sitting at Gaza port, unable to be transferred.
READ: UNRWA food aid blocked by Israel…again
Former USAID official Jeremy Konyndk critiqued the pier as “humanitarian theatre”, suggesting its purpose was to maintain the US’ political face.
Meanwhile Gaza’s humanitarian situation is worsening catastrophically.
In addition to mass displacement and indiscriminate bombing, Gaza’s 2.3 million citizens are enduring a severe food crisis in the face of Israeli aid restrictions.
The World Food Programme announced on 21st May that it had suspended food distribution in Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah, due to insecurity amid Israel’s invasion on May 6th and a severe supply shortage.
READ: Biden official questions Israel’s “total victory” in Gaza
After Israeli troops took control over the Rafah crossing with Egypt – a vital land crossing enabling aid to get through – Egypt has closed its border, refusing to open it until Israel ceases control.
UNRWA said it had not received any medical supplies due to “disruptions” at the southern Rafah crossing and northern Kerem Shalom crossing.
Taravella said, “The bottom line is that humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse”.
Asharq Al-Awsat / Agencies
