By Ollus Ndomu
Amid the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, a significant delivery of aid reached the region on Sunday; a 14-truck, carrying much-needed supplies, successfully passed through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, as announced by the UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, in a social media post.
The contents of the aid delivery were not specified in the statement, but this relief effort is a joint initiative by the Egyptian Red Cross and the United Nations.
Martin Griffiths described the arrival of these supplies as “another glimmer of hope for the millions of people in dire need of humanitarian aid.”
He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “but they need more, much more.”
This follows a previous aid convoy that entered Gaza on Saturday, offering essential items like medical supplies, canned goods, wheat flour, and clean drinking water.
The severity of the crisis has left over two million people in Gaza cut off from vital resources, including food, medicine, and clean water.
The situation in Gaza has rapidly deteriorated due to the recent hostilities, displacing over a million people, severely limiting access to clean water, and overwhelming already strained hospitals.
In its statements, the United Nations has referred to the current situation in Gaza as “catastrophic.”
The crisis began when Hamas initiated an incursion into southern Israel on October 7, resulting in dozens of hostages being taken. In response, Israel launched continuous airstrikes, enforced a blockade on Gaza, and issued evacuation orders for the northern part of the enclave.
The United Nations has been tirelessly appealing for a sustained flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza to alleviate the worsening situation.
They have also called for the release of the hostages by Hamas.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which assists Palestine refugees, reported that its fuel supply will be exhausted within three days. Ensuring safe humanitarian access to the people of Gaza remains of paramount importance.
Martin Griffiths commended the humanitarian workers who, despite the risks, immediately took action to offload the aid from the trucks on the Palestinian side of the border.
He concluded his statement by highlighting that these individuals, whom he described as “true heroes,” need protection as they work tirelessly to provide critical assistance to those in need.
