Abeer Etefa, Senior Regional Communications Officer for the World Food Program (PAM) told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, the agency had been able to import more than 6,700 tons of food – enough for almost half a million people for two weeks.
“Daily deliveries continue and now average around 750 tonnes.“, Ms Etefa said. “This is much better than what we had before the ceasefire, but it is still well below our target, which is around 2,000 tonnes per day.”
The WFP spokesperson explained that unless all border crossing points can be used, achieving this goal is “almost impossible”.
Crossed objectives
Currently, only the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings in the south are openand “severe destruction” hampers access from the south to the north – where famine was declared in August.
They are not very sure how long the ceasefire will last and what will happen next.
“We need Erez, we need Zikkim, we need these border crossing points to open,” insisted Ms. Etefa.
Reaching northern Gaza with large-scale convoys is a priority, she said.
“We have cleared the roads on a large scale to the north,” she added, removing debris from border crossing points to be able to connect Gaza City, where the situation is particularly dire.
“But we need these crossings to open to be able to accommodate large-scale convoys.”
Distribution objective
The agency has begun to restore its food distribution system, with a goal of extending assistance through 145 distribution points across the Gaza Strip. Some 26 distribution points have already been reestablished.
“The response was really massive,” Ms. Etefa said, describing people’s reactions to the food distributions. “People are showing up in large numbers, grateful for the efficient delivery of food aid.» as well as the “dignified manner” in which they can queue and quickly obtain their food rations.
The impact is significant, particularly for “the most vulnerable, women, female-headed households, the elderly,” she said.
Hedging bets
People are hopeful, but there is “cautious optimism” about how long current conditions will continue, Ms Etefa said. Those who receive food aid tend to eat only part of the rations and save the rest for emergencies.“because they are not very sure how long the ceasefire will last and what will happen next.”
“It is a fragile peace,” stressed Ms. Etefa.
Adding to the challenges, food prices in Gaza remain prohibitive and supplies are still not sufficient “to the level where they can be affordable”, Ms Etefa said. “There is still a huge problem of access… people can find food in the market, but it’s out of reach because it’s extremely expensive“, she warned.
Support for the hungry
WFP is supporting those most at risk of food insecurity through digital payments which have so far enabled some 140,000 people to purchase food in local markets, with the aim of doubling the program in the coming weeks.
The WFP spokesperson reiterated the agency’s calls for commercial supplies to enter the enclave and supplement the aid. “Humanitarian aid will not be the only solution to deal with severe malnutrition and have a complete food basket,” she explained.
Only full implementation of the ceasefire can allow the WFP to operate at the scale required for this crisis, Ms. Etefa stressed. “Maintaining the ceasefire is vital.
It’s really… the only way to save lives and fight famine in the north of Gaza,” she concluded.
The bread is prepared in a bakery in Deir Al Balah, Gaza.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
