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Food supply

Tragic Incident in Gaza Highlights Dangers of Humanitarian Work

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A World Food Programme (WFP) convoy, carrying vital food assistance, crossed the Zikim border point into Gaza on July 20, only to encounter large crowds of civilians waiting to access desperately needed food supplies. Israeli tanks, snipers, and gunfire suddenly opened fire on the crowd, resulting in the loss of countless lives and many more life-threatening injuries. This tragic incident underscores the increasingly dangerous conditions under which humanitarian operations are forced to be conducted in Gaza.

Key Takeaways:

  • The World Food Programme (WFP) convoy was carrying vital food assistance to starving communities in northern Gaza on July 20.
  • The convoy encountered large crowds of civilians waiting to access desperately needed food supplies, who were suddenly fired upon by Israeli tanks, snipers, and gunfire.
  • The incident resulted in the loss of countless lives and many more life-threatening injuries, with many civilians trying to access food to feed themselves and their families on the brink of starvation.
  • The WFP emphasizes the importance of operating with independence, impartiality, and neutrality, which is why communities trust them to deliver life-saving assistance.
  • The World Food Programme continues to call for the protection of all civilians and aid workers delivering life-saving assistance, refusing to compromise on their principles.
  • The Gaza hunger crisis has reached new levels of desperation, with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment, and nearly one person in three not eating for days.
  • Food aid is the only way for most people to access any food, with the cost of a one-kilogram bag of flour surging to over USD100 in local markets.
  • An agreed ceasefire is long overdue, and all hostages should be released, allowing humanitarians to reach the civilian population in Gaza with critical food supplies in a consistent, predictable, orderly, and safe manner.
  • The WFP has food supplies nearby, with experienced teams on the ground and proven systems in place to respond at scale.

Statistics:

  • 90,000 women and children in Gaza are in urgent need of treatment for malnutrition.
  • Nearly one person in three in Gaza is not eating for days, exacerbating the hunger crisis.
  • The cost of a one-kilogram bag of flour in local markets has surged to over USD100.
  • A WFP convoy was carrying vital food assistance to starving communities in northern Gaza on July 20.
  • An agreed ceasefire is long overdue, allowing humanitarian operations to proceed safely and securely.

Sources:

  • World Food Programme (WFP)
  • MIL OSI United Nations News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)

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