A spokesperson for the World Food Program said the agency had exhausted its stock and stopped all distribution in Rafah.
Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern Gaza city of Rafah in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, May 7, 2024 (AP)
The UN suspended food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on May 21, citing supply shortages and a deteriorating security situation as a result of Israel's expanded military operation in the area.
The United Nations has warned that humanitarian operations across the territory are close to collapse.
🛑As a result of the ongoing military operation in eastern Rafah, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) distribution center and United Nations WFP Warehouse, both #Raphacurrently inaccessible.
Food distribution in Rafah, southern region#Gazais currently suspended due to lack of supplies and deteriorating security. pic.twitter.com/EQfdjHYwrk
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 21, 2024
UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said UNRWA distribution centers and WFP warehouses in Rafah were “inaccessible due to ongoing military operations,” according to the Associated Press.
He added that Dujarric was asked about the impact of the suspension and replied: “People don't eat.”
As for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), Spokesperson Abeer Etefa also warned that “humanitarian operations in Gaza are close to collapse,” according to a report by the Associated Press.
He said unless large shipments of food and other supplies to Gaza continue, famine-like conditions will spread.
The spokesperson also said WFP had also stopped distribution in Rafah as it had run out of stock.
WFP is still providing hot meals and a “limited distribution” of reduced food parcels in central Gaza, but “the stock of food parcels will run out within a few days,” Etefa said.
US Pier Failed
The United Nations says that no relief trucks have entered the area in the past two days via a floating pier set up by the United States for maritime transport, and that “Israel” has not met the conditions necessary for humanitarian aid organizations to operate safely. He warned that the $320m (£250m) project could fail unless permissions begin.
The United States has built a floating pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip, claiming it can be used as a rapid route for transporting supplies.
On May 17, the first 10 trucks fell off the ship toward the pier and were transferred to a WFP warehouse. Etefa said there were no further deliveries from the pier on May 19 and 20.
“The responsibility to ensure that aid reaches those in need does not end at crossroads or other points of entry into Gaza, but extends throughout Gaza itself,” she stressed.
A WFP spokesperson said the agency was reevaluating logistics and security measures while also exploring alternative routes within the Gaza Strip, and the U.S. Agency for International Development to coordinate food deliveries from new routes in the United States. He added that he is cooperating with
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters in Washington that forward aid movements from the pier had been suspended in recent days but continued on May 21, but this was not confirmed by the United Nations.
WFP has previously warned about this issue.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on May 17 called for the opening of additional checkpoints in the Gaza Strip, arguing that the checkpoints are a lifeline for Palestinians.
WFP has warned that an intensification of IOF operations in Rafah risks halting humanitarian operations in Gaza.
'Israel' closure of Gaza Strip is 'completely devastating aid': United Nations
A senior United Nations official said on May 9 that Israel's major border closure to the Gaza Strip had cut off the main entry route for supplies, especially gasoline, making humanitarian operations nearly impossible.
Andrea de Domenico, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, said the “main entry point for all humanitarian assistance” had been lost.
The announcement comes days after occupation forces closed the Karam Abu Salem/Kelem Shalom intersection after four Israeli soldiers were killed at the military base at Karam Abu Salem, about 1.5 kilometers from the intersection. .
De Domenico told AFP that “Israel” claimed to have reopened Karam Abu Salem/Kelem Shalom on May 8, but added that bringing in supplies remained extremely difficult, adding that The Rafah Gate, through which all oil flows into the country, remains sealed, it added, and the fuel enters.
“There are no fuel stocks in Gaza,” he said, stressing that this meant “no movement.”
“This is completely disrupting humanitarian operations.”
WCK had to suspend activities in Rapha
Additionally, World Central Kitchen (WCK) said in a statement on May 8 that “the evacuation order in Rafah has forced several WCK-supported community kitchens to temporarily suspend cooking.” said.
“Our field and community kitchens outside the evacuation zone have provided more than 168,000 meals to communities around Rafah and Deli Alvara,” WCK said in a statement.
The evacuation order for Rafah caused several WCK-supported community kitchens to suspend cooking operations starting today. Nevertheless, our field kitchens and community kitchens outside the evacuation zone have provided over 168,000 meals to the communities around Rafah and Deli Albarra.#Chef in Gaza pic.twitter.com/F420P15JMT
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) May 7, 2024
Read more: Majority of Rafah children are injured, malnourished and traumatized: United Nations
