The UN aid coordination office OCHA, has presented a 10-point plan aimed at curbing the devastation in Gaza. The initiative, unveiled more than five weeks after the tragic events initiated by Hamas, focuses on a substantial increase in aid delivery to the war-torn enclave. Key elements include calls for humanitarian ceasefires, the release of hostages from the October 7 terror attacks, and the expansion of aid convoys into Gaza.
ADDRESSING THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Expressing deep concern over the escalating horror in Gaza, head of OCHA Martin Griffiths emphasized the urgent need to halt the violence. The plan advocates for the creation of additional crossing points, going beyond Rafah from Egypt, with a special emphasis on Kerem Shalom. Private sector suppliers are urged to play a role in facilitating aid distribution. Griffiths called for a reliable and continuous flow of aid, emphasizing the importance of people knowing that assistance will be available consistently.
CRITICAL ASPECTS OF THE PLAN
Fuel access is highlighted as a key requirement for the effective delivery of aid, with the plea for sufficient quantities to sustain basic services. Griffiths urged the allowance of UN-led expansion of shelters for those displaced by the Israeli military’s evacuation order. Additional funding, currently totaling $1.2 billion, is deemed essential for an effective humanitarian response.
APPEAL FOR FUEL AND INCREASED CROSSING POINTS
In light of UNWRA receiving just over 23,000 liters of fuel, Griffiths appealed for 200,000 liters per day, emphasizing its crucial role in powering hospitals and transportation. The need for more crossing points, including at Kerem Shalom in the north of the Strip, was underscored. Griffiths stressed that, before the recent escalation, Kerem Shalom accounted for over 60% of trucks entering Gaza.
The comprehensive plan aims to address the immediate needs of the population, emphasizing the core humanitarian principles that guide UN emergency responses.
