GAZA STRIP – For the first time in nearly 80 days, the scent of fresh bread is filling the air in parts of south and central Gaza, offering a sliver of hope amid a severe humanitarian crisis. A limited number of bakeries, supported by the World Food Programme (WFP), have finally resumed production overnight after dozens of aid trucks successfully delivered much-needed supplies from the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
These newly operational bakeries are distributing bread through hot meal kitchens, providing a vital, albeit minimal, source of sustenance. However, the WFP is sounding a dire alarm, emphasizing that despite this breakthrough, Gaza's population remains at an extremely high risk of famine. The long-standing blockade on humanitarian assistance has pushed families to the brink, and the current aid flow is described as merely "a drop in the bucket" compared to the overwhelming need.
"We are in a race against time to prevent widespread starvation," stated Antoine Renard, WFP country director. He stressed the urgent need for "immediate, unrestricted and safe access to flood Gaza with lifesaving aid," asserting that this is the only way to avert a preventable disaster.
While vital convoys this week brought in wheat flour, resources for hot meal kitchens, baby formula, nutrition supplements for malnourished children, and medical supplies, the WFP insists that food assistance must go beyond a single meal per day. A greater diversity of food items is crucial to effectively combat the threat of famine. Critically, the direct distribution of food packages to families – considered the most effective method for preventing starvation – is still not permitted, a policy the WFP urges to be changed immediately.
The urgency is underscored by the staggering amount of aid pre-positioned at aid corridors: over 308 million pounds of food, enough to feed the entire Gaza population for two months, stands ready for scaled delivery.
The WFP has issued a forceful call to all parties involved to uphold the principle of humanitarian aid and facilitate swift, safe, and unimpeded delivery of assistance at scale to the more than 2 million people facing hunger across the Gaza Strip.
Post a Comment