Paul TuckerUpdated on: October 11, 2024 10:36 pm GMT
More than one million people in Gaza are facing a dire food shortage, relief groups warn, as a backlog of aid lorries remains trapped at the Egyptian border. With essential supplies stuck in limbo, humanitarian organizations are raising alarming concerns about the impending humanitarian crisis in the region.
Severe Food Shortages in Gaza
As the situation in Gaza deteriorates, relief organizations estimate that over one million residents will lack sufficient food this September. Sam Rose, a senior deputy director for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), highlighted that “so little aid is getting in that we can’t meet basic needs.” The delays at the border are resulting in trucks filled with perishable goods spoiling while waiting to cross Israeli checkpoints.
The situation has reached a critical point, with more than half of the medicines needed in health centers already in short supply. Rose noted that, in an effort to mitigate the situation, UNRWA has resorted to importing single items like bars of soap instead of comprehensive hygiene kits, demonstrating just how desperate the conditions have become.
The Impact of Blockades on Aid Distribution
According to Amed Khan, founder of the Elpida relief organization, efforts to introduce medical supplies into Gaza have been persistently thwarted. He described the current levels of aid as “the absolute minimum needed to ensure that people don’t die immediately from starvation.” This minimum is not sufficient for long-term health.
In July, approximately 100 lorries were entering Gaza daily. However, this number plummeted to just 147 trucks in September. Humanitarian workers have pointed to several factors contributing to these delays:
- Israeli screening processes: Lorries must often arrive partially empty.
- Competing cargo: Some trucks contain goods for local markets, which are priced too high for many residents.
- Security concerns: Coordination between aid organizations and Israeli authorities has not improved aid distribution.
Consequences of Delays
With congestion at the Kerem Shalom crossing, thousands of trucks have accumulated in Egypt, costing millions each month in demurrage charges—the fees for keeping cargo at a terminal beyond the allotted time.
Inside Gaza, the distribution of aid is further complicated by a lack of fuel and the presence of various military checkpoints. Notably, 280 humanitarian workers, primarily from UNRWA, have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict over the past 11 months, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
In addition, a report from late August by numerous NGOs highlighted how delays from Israeli authorities have severely hindered the flow of aid. These organizations noted that only a handful of trucks can enter each week, and relief supplies are often stuck on the Egyptian side of the border despite urgent needs in Gaza.
Challenges in Coordination and Distribution
Khan remarked on the lack of a structured system for distributing humanitarian aid. Despite the efforts on the ground, he stated, “There’s a system in place to block everything, but little else.” Efforts to create a reliable route for aid delivery have been undermined by bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of attention from global decision-makers.
For humanitarian organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the troubles are compounded by the alarming reports of aid workers being attacked, despite having shared their coordinates with Israeli authorities. This troubling trend has raised serious questions about the safety and effectiveness of relief operations in the region.
The Human Cost of Military Action
Reports indicate that, over the past 11 months, the greatest threat to aid workers has been Israeli airstrikes. Statistics reveal that more than 75% of humanitarian workers killed globally this year have lost their lives in Gaza or the West Bank. A particularly devastating attack occurred on September 11 when an airstrike hit a school in Nuseirat, killing 18 individuals, including six UNRWA aid workers.
Despite efforts to adhere to deconfliction protocols—meant to protect humanitarian efforts—aid organizations have frequently found themselves targeted by military operations. This disconcerting pattern raises significant concerns about the military’s stated commitment to aid worker safety.
International Response and Accountability Issues
The international community’s response to these tragedies has varied. While there are concerns raised by humanitarian groups and reports to U.S. officials highlighting the impact of Israeli military operations, tangible actions have been limited. For example, a report earlier this year questioned Israel’s operational practices, yet there has been no substantive accountability for the attacks on aid workers.
Amid ongoing hostilities and bureaucratic inefficiencies, many aid organizations express frustration, stating that despite the challenges, humanitarian aid is urgently needed. Khan captured this sentiment by emphasizing the lack of political will to facilitate relief efforts: “There’s not one decision maker on the planet who cares about this issue,” he stated.
Things look tough for Gaza right now. There are many people who need help, but there isn’t enough aid coming in. Relief workers are hoping that the situation will get better soon so that we can prevent even more problems for the people there.
