Urgent Aid for Gaza Stalled as Thousands of Tonnes Remain in Jordan

Concerns are mounting as approximately 4,000 metric tonnes of essential food aid intended for Gaza remain stuck in a warehouse in Amman, Jordan. The aid, consisting of around 5,000 pallets filled with wheat flour, canned goods, yeast, and sugar, is currently unable to reach the besieged population due to Israeli restrictions on the key crossing from Jordan into the West Bank.

During a visit to the World Food Programme (WFP) depot, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her outrage, highlighting the urgent need for the aid to be delivered. She stated, “We’ve got UK-funded aid that needs to go to Gaza and it’s being held up here in Jordan.” Cooper emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the wheat alone could feed 700,000 people for a month, while children in Gaza continue to suffer from hunger.

Call for Reopening Crossings

Cooper’s frustrations extend to the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than a million people are in need of shelter and assistance as winter approaches. She has urged Israel to lift the restrictions and reopen all crossings to facilitate the delivery of aid. “This is why it’s so important to get this Jordanian route moving, because the aid is ready, and the teams are ready to get it in and get it to people,” she commented.

The situation has become increasingly dire since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was implemented last month. Although aid shipments have increased, they remain significantly below the levels outlined in former US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Criticism has been directed at Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for allegedly blocking shipments and limiting access for charitable organizations.

Cooper is collaborating with various international partners, including the United Nations and a US-led coordinating committee, to expedite the delivery of aid. “We’re trying to work swiftly with everyone on practical plans to keep the peace process moving and get aid in,” she stated.

Desperate Need for Aid

The urgency of the situation is underscored by remarks from Musonda Kasonde, the deputy representative of operations at UNICEF. Kasonde characterized the circumstances in Gaza as “desperate,” emphasizing the immediate need for warm clothing and shelter kits before winter sets in. “Winter is coming. Children need shoes, they need warm coats. You just can’t imagine. A hungry child, without warmth—these are things we take for granted,” she noted.

Aid organizations have been vocal about the necessity of unimpeded access to deliver essential supplies. Kasonde pointed out the importance of swift action, stating, “Just open the access and let us get things going.” The situation remains critical as humanitarian agencies await the reopening of crossings to provide relief to those in desperate need in Gaza.

As the international community watches closely, the call for action grows louder. The people of Gaza cannot afford to wait any longer for the aid that is readily available but stuck in transit.