LARNACA: Officials from 36 countries and UN agencies gathered in Cyprus on Thursday to discuss how to expedite aid to besieged Palestinians in Gaza via a sea route launched last week.
The gathering, held in Larnaca, Cyprus, saw the participation of key figures such as Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, and Curtis Ried, chief of staff of the US National Security Council.
With the specter of famine looming over Gaza, humanitarian agencies are increasingly exploring alternative avenues to transport aid into the enclave, bypassing the challenges posed by land crossings. However, the lack of adequate infrastructure remains a significant hurdle. To address this, one charity utilized rubble to construct a makeshift landing jetty for aid dispatches from Cyprus, while the US has announced plans to deploy a floating pier.
An agreement negotiated with Israel facilitates the process, allowing cargoes to undergo security inspections in Cyprus, thereby streamlining aid deliveries and minimizing potential delays at the final offloading point in Gaza.
Aid Delivery to Gaza Via Cyprus
Last week, one vessel departed from Cyprus and successfully distributed aid in Gaza, with two more expected to follow suit in the coming days, contingent upon weather conditions.
Constantinos Kombos, Cyprus’s foreign minister, emphasized the discussions centered on maximizing operational capacity in terms of departure frequency and transportation methods, as well as refining reception and distribution methodologies.
While delegates explored the possibility of establishing a fund to coordinate operational activities, Kombos clarified that the meeting was not a donor’s conference. He underscored the importance of expediting aid delivery and ensuring efficient utilization of resources, highlighting the need for a swift turnaround to address the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza.
When questioned about the potential number of vessels departing from Cyprus once the initiative reaches full operational capacity, Kombos stressed the objective of maximizing aid shipments while acknowledging the constraints posed by reception and distribution logistics. The overarching goal, he emphasized, is to facilitate a rapid and effective response to the humanitarian crisis engulfing Gaza.
