The World Food Programme is standing by to deliver a much-needed surge in aid to Gaza if negotiations for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory succeed, the agency’s deputy executive director Carl Skau told The National.
The coastal enclave’s more than 2 million residents have suffered extreme levels of hunger after Israeli blockades and strict controls over aid delivery before the collapse of a ceasefire in March.
A recent WFP assessment found nearly one person in three in Gaza is not eating for days at a time. Also, nearly half a million people are expected to face catastrophic hunger between May and September this year.
As many as 600 lorries of aid entered Gaza each day during a truce that began on January 19, and Mr Skau said the WFP had been told to be “ready to bring the scale that we had last time around”.
He said the agency has enough aid waiting to feed civilians in Gaza for two months, but needed to be given "full access" to the territory.
"We need those routes. We need those entry points, but whether that will happen or not, that I can't say because I'm not privy to these negotiations,” he said, referring to ceasefire negotiations taking place in Qatar.
"We have food on what we call the borders in Egypt, in Jordan, in [the Israeli port city of] Ashdod, to feed the entire population for the next two months if needed," Mr Skau said. "People have never been more desperate, certainly on the food-security front."
The current ceasefire proposal would see Hamas hand over 10 live hostages and the bodies of 18 others during a 60-day ceasefire, with large numbers of Palestinians released from Israeli jails in exchange.
The proposal includes a provision for a surge in deliveries of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Mr Skau said that during the last ceasefire, the WFP "showed what was possible: delivering over 8,000 trucks of food in only 42 days. We can do it again".
He said the need for agreement on a new truce was "urgent".
"If there is no ceasefire, I frankly don't know how we're going to continue and how the situation then could or can evolve."
The responsibility for distributing aid is still undecided in the truce talks, with Hamas insisting that it be carried out by the UN and associated agencies and Israel insisting that it be done by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, sources say.
Obstacles to aid
Mr Skau said that although the WFP was being allowed to take aid into Gaza, despite challenges, it was not enough and was not reaching everyone.
"We are not getting the variety of commodities that are required," he said. He added that the agency was unable to distribute the aid where it is needed most, including in the north of Gaza.
"We don't have spare parts for our vehicles and our trucks, we don't have the communication equipment needed to stay in touch. We're not getting the clearances fast enough so that we can move when there are crowds that put risk to our trucks," he said.
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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More on Quran memorisation:
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)
Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)
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Rating: 4.5/5
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
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