Watch: UAE's largest aid ship to Gaza sets sail with 7,166 tonnes of urgent relief
The ship is currenly heading to Egypt's Al Arish port.
Half a million people in the Gaza Strip face starvation, a global hunger monitor said in May, saying the Israeli-blockaded enclave still confronts a critical risk of famine with a high risk of one occurring by the end of September.
A report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) cited a significant deterioration in the situation since October, reflecting warnings from international agencies of an unfolding catastrophe in the small, densely populated Palestinian territory.
Lifesaving aid
The UAE's eighth Khalifa humanitarian ship carries :
4,372 tonnes of food supplies
1,433 tonnes of shelter materials
860 tonnes of medical supplies
501 tonnes of hygiene items
This brings the total volume of aid sent by the UAE to the Gaza Strip so far to 77,266 tonnes.
A Khaleej Times photojournalist was on board as volunteers loaded with lifesaving supplies on Saturday. Among the cargo was a field hospital, destined to bolster Gaza's collapsing healthcare system.
The mission is supported by the Emirati Red Crescent, Khalifa Foundation, Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Dar Al Ber Society, Ajman-based International Charity Organization, Al Ihsan Charity Association, Al Etihad Charity Foundation and Ras Al Khaimah-based Saqr Bin Mohd Al Qassimi Charity Foundation.
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