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Delivery via WHO Humanitarian Bridge Initiative in Cyprus arrived at the Israeli port of Ashdod and is being prepared for distribution to the devastated enclaves.
“This delivery marks a significant operational milestone in strengthening WHO’s cross-regional humanitarian logistics capacity for areas affected by the ongoing conflict, in particular in Gaza,” the UN agency said.
Improve delivery
The Humanitarian Bridge Initiative is a coordinated effort between WHO offices in Cyprus and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
He designed to enable timely, scalable and efficient delivery of essential health commodities to the Gaza Strip by sea under the framework Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023)which called for the establishment of a UN mechanism to increase the provision of aid through countries that are not parties to the conflict there.
The Cypriot government is taking the lead along with UN mechanism team 2720 implemented by the UN Project Services Office (UNOPS).
Together, they provide neutral, transparent and internationally coordinated maritime corridors for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Save time, reduce congestion
“This mechanism further strengthens Cyprus’ role as a strategic staging point for humanitarian logistics, taking advantage of its geographical proximity, some 370 kilometers from Gaza, and its position within the European Union single market to facilitate the rapid mobilization and delivery of essential supplies,” WHO said.
Additionally, “by complementing existing humanitarian corridors in Gaza and diversifying supply routes, this initiative has the potential to significantly reduce delivery schedules and mitigate operational barriers that have limited humanitarian access in the past.”
Looking ahead, WHO said the bridge initiative will continue to support strategic prepositioning, consolidation and rapid delivery of critical supplies, thereby strengthening the agency’s operational readiness for Gaza as well as health emergencies and disasters across the region.
UN support continues
This development comes as the UN and its partners continue to provide critical assistance to Gaza even as the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem border with Israel remains. the only one open to cargo.
On Tuesday, they carry more than 270,000 liters of fuel to keep essential humanitarian services running, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at Headquarters in New York.
Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O) also collected animal feed while serving as the UN’s child rights agency UNICEF took over 240 pallets of inventory including nutrition, medicines and kits containing personal care items such as sanitary napkins, toothpaste and body soap.
Reviving crop production
FAO has announced increased cash assistance to reactivate local crop production for an additional 1,000 Gaza farmers.
“This assistance is a continuation of the success of last year’s pilot 200 farmers managed to grow more than 500 metric tons of fresh vegetableswith support received through the Humanitarian Fund for the occupied Palestinian territories,” Dujarric said.
The UN agency estimates that farmers will be able to produce around 5,000 metric tons of vegetables – enough to feed around 95,000 people for an entire year – which will help address food insecurity in Gaza while increasing employment and increasing incomes.
