Statement on WFP aid operations in Gaza
Overnight, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) dispatched 59 trucks carrying life-saving food assistance intended for northern Gaza. The aid convoy, transporting 930 metric tons of wheat flour, was stopped along the way and offloaded by hungry civilians in critical need of food to feed their families. Community responses of relief, gratitude and urgent pleas for more trucks reinforce the desperation of the situation.
A second aid convoy with 21 trucks of food aid intended for southern Gaza was delayed and waited for clearances to move for over 36 hours.
Since the limited resumption of humanitarian assistance into Gaza on 19 May, WFP has only been able to bring in small amounts of life-saving food and aid. This is largely due to delays or denials of permission for humanitarian movements due to expanded military operations.
As of 10 June – almost three weeks after limited supplies were allowed to enter Gaza, WFP has transported over 700 trucks of aid to the Kerem Shalom border crossing point. This compares to 600-700 trucks of aid transported per day during the ceasefire earlier this year. The trucks carried over 11,000 metric tons of food but only 6,000 metric tons has entered Gaza – enough to support less than 300,000 people for a month with minimal daily food requirements. This is a small fraction of what is needed for a population of 2.1 million people and far too slow to meet the overwhelming needs.
To stave off starvation, stabilize markets and calm desperation, we need to consistently support the entire population with basic food requirements every month.
After nearly 80 days of a total blockade of aid, and a trickle of assistance since the reopening, the fear of starvation inside Gaza remains high.
For the trucks and drivers inside Gaza, insecurity and the breakdown in law and order also pose concerns. Some trucks have been looted by armed gangs, injuring drivers and damaging trucks.
WFP continues to call for better operating conditions so that food can reach families consistently, fairly, and safely -- wherever they are across the Gaza Strip. This means more safe and reliable convoy routes, faster permission approvals and additional border crossings open for use.
This is the only way to reassure the population and to push back starvation.
WFP has over 140,000 metric tons of food––enough to feed the entire population of 2.2 million Gazans for two months – within and on its way to the region.
The food aid brought into Gaza during the ceasefire helped to push back the tide of hunger. We can do this again.
Another ceasefire is urgently needed and is the only way to reach all people safely across Gaza with life-saving assistance.
