The following is a transcript of an interview with World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain on “Face the Nation,” broadcast on June 9, 2024.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We're joined by Cindy McCain, executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme. It's an honor to have you with us.
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme: Thank you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I learned this evening that the U.S. military wharf off the coast of Gaza has been reopened. It's been down for a while. What's the status? I know you're helping oversee the distribution.
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McCain: Well, we've paused work right now because we're concerned about the safety of our employees following what happened yesterday. And two of our warehouses were hit by rockets yesterday. So we've temporarily paused work to make sure that we're in a safe condition and in a safe place before we resume work. But work continues in other parts of the country. In the north and in the south, we're doing everything we can.
MARGARET BRENNAN: How did your base come under rocket attack? I assume you're sharing your base with the Israeli military to avoid conflict.
McCain: We're torn. I don't know. That's a good question.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Have you ever lost anything?
McCain: There was one injured person, but other than that, they're OK. No one else is hurt. But this is why we need a ceasefire. That's why we need this to stop and to be able to provide our aid and aid from other organizations on a large scale. In some ways this can't continue, because what almost caused a famine in the North could happen in the South. So we're trying to avoid that now. And just with what's going on right now, it's very difficult. You know, there's been looting in the country and all the different problems that come with that. There's always something going on. It's very difficult to operate there.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You said there's serious famine going on in the north right now. That statement got a lot of attention. Prime Minister Netanyahu was asked about your statement by NBC and he said, “Unfortunately, Cindy McCain is misinformed.” The Israeli government has released photos of food being delivered to Gaza. They're not claiming there's famine. How does that square with what you're seeing on the ground?
McCain: When I made that statement, my people were on the ground and saw not only the evidence, but the real impact. Since then, more trucks have been allowed to come to the North, and much more food has been brought to the North, and that will stop it. But the bottom line here is, every day I make a choice to take food from hungry people and give it to hungry people. We need a ceasefire. We need a ceasefire right now so we can get food in. There is no ceasefire in the South. We are on the verge of the same thing happening there.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are people on the brink of starvation in southern Gaza?
McCain: Yes. There are people who are very hungry and they can't get there because of the dangers and because they're packed into the inner city. So we want to do more than just go in and feed them, but do it on a large scale. They need more than just food. They need water, they need sanitation, they need medicines, they need all of those things. Because hunger is not just about hunger, it's about everything else.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I know how hard it is to help stunted children. You said you're taking from the hungry to feed the hungry. You're dealing with a lot of issues in Sudan.
McCain: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The U.S. said paramilitaries killed 100 people, including children, last week. I know the Biden administration is saying the world isn't paying enough attention to Sudan. What's going on, and is Sudan already on the brink of starvation?
McCain: Sudan has the potential to become the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. We can't get food, we can barely get food, and we're not going to get food on a large scale. If we can't feed people, it's pretty clear what the consequences are. And we're coming into lean season, and in many cases it's difficult for trucks to even operate even if they can get in. We need more, with the same training, more border crossings. We need safe and unfettered access. And by the way, this is the same in Gaza. We need safe and unfettered access and to ensure that we can get in and feed Gaza on a large scale. Again, this is about agreements with different people and different factions and all that. At the end of the day, if we don't get in there, people are going to starve.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We've been talking all this week about America's role in the world, and America remains the largest donor to the World Food Program. When you came here and spoke to us last June, you said you were trying to engage China to get not just financial assistance, but technology and agricultural expertise. Is China actually cooperating? Are other countries cooperating?
McCain: Other countries are stepping up their response. It's not on the scale that it was two years ago, but countries are stepping up their response. In the case of Sudan, several more countries are stepping up their response. Sudan is a forgotten crisis, and its effects are a destabilizing factor in the region that could have devastating effects in the future. So it's really important that we open our borders, that we have safe access, that we make sure the different factions understand that we're humanitarian and that we need access.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And as you point out, U.S. intelligence agencies have said that if this step is not taken, it could lead to the expansion of terrorism.
McCain: That's right.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Just like Gaza.
McCain: People will do anything to provide for their families, and when the time comes, they may have no choice but to turn to terrorism.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Cindy McCain, thank you so much for speaking with us.
McCain: Thank you, thank you for a job well done.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I'll be right back.
