Aid is insufficient and unrestricted access is urgently needed

Action Against Hunger warns that the humanitarian aid that has begun to enter the Gaza Strip is dramatically insufficient to meet the needs of a population already living on the brink of survival.

“While we welcome the minimal progress, the humanitarian aid inflow we have witnessed until now is practically nothing. We have food stored in Jordan ready to feed thousands of families for a month, but it can’t cross the border into Gaza because of restrictions”, explains Natalia Anguera, Director of Operations for the Middle East at Action Against Hunger.

Currently, food aid allowed into Gaza is restricted to bakery distributions, baby food and hot meals through community kitchens. Humanitarian operations are extremely difficult due to the crisis and restrictions on the ground.

“The situation is changing all the time,” says Natalia. “Our local suppliers can’t get ingredients and due to the siege, they have run out of reserve.  Aid modalities such as community kitchens, which were possible a week ago, are no longer possible due to lack of stock availability. The distribution of hot meals with local kitchens can work for two or three days, maybe more, but everything is subject to food availability“.

“The situation on the ground is desperate for more than two million Gazans and survival is an immediate priority. It is necessary to guarantee a massive influx of aid to Gaza through the various entry points, to facilitate the dignified distribution of aid to the Gazan population, and to guarantee the safety of the civilian population and humanitarian workers and resources,” declares Natalia Anguera.

Action Against Hunger stresses that the current humanitarian model is still valid. Our experience of more than 20 years in Gaza shows that the UN-coordinated model is effective and transparent. In the last year alone, we have been able to deliver humanitarian aid in various forms (food, water, nutritional supplements, etc.) to more than one million people.

Furthermore, Action Against Hunger reaffirms its unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles. It is key to ensure that humanitarian principles are upheld access to people in all circumstances, free access to people, non-discrimination, neutrality and independence. And all this in coordination with the United Nations, its Member States, and donors.

“Every day of delay worsens hunger and brings Gaza closer to famine. We cannot allow aid to remain blocked while millions of people, including children, see their lives threatened. The international community must act now”, concludes Natalia Anguera.

Action  Against Hunger reiterates its commitment to continue working in Gaza as long as access and security conditions allow. We call on all actors involved to prioritize the lives and dignity of the civilian population as well as the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages.