Gaza: Action Against Hunger Warns That Suspending Entry of Humanitarian Aid Into Gaza Endangers Millions of Lives
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JERUSALEM, Israel, March 5, 2025 /3BL/ - The decision to suspend the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, announced on Sunday, endangers the lives of millions of Palestinians in Gaza and threatens to reverse the progress that has been made since the ceasefire was declared on January 19, Action Against Hunger warned. After the ceasefire began, an average of nearly 300 trucks per day entered through several crossings. While still far short of what was agreed in the ceasefire and what is required to meet basic needs, the entry of goods, food and fuel enabled operations of health, water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as the movement of humanitarian personnel in parts of Gaza where access had previously been limited.
Now, Action Against Hunger is calling for the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza and for a lasting ceasefire to allow the continued flow of aid, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the return of remaining hostages.
'Fifteen months of displacement and conflict have left most people dependent on humanitarian aid. The agreement in Gaza had, until Sunday, facilitated more goods coming in,' explained Natalia Anguera, Head of Middle East Operations at Action Against Hunger, a nonpartisan international nonprofit. 'For example, more food was being allowed in Gaza, and this allowed us, before Sunday, to increase aid to places we couldn't access before. Action Against Hunger was planning to bring much needed food aid into Gaza next week to support a community kitchen based in Gaza City, which was going to assist over 4,000 people during the month of Ramadan, but the current restriction prevents us from doing so.'
Consequences of the suspension of humanitarian aid inflows
The suspension of aid threatens to reverse recent gains, putting the lives of millions of people at risk and making the work of humanitarian organisations even more difficult.
'It's going to be very, very hard,' explained an Action Against Hunger worker in Gaza whose name was withheld for safety reasons. 'Although Action Against Hunger had already considered this possible scenario, it is going to be difficult to readjust our plans and our supply work based on these new restrictions, which also mean more people will be in need.'
The suspension of humanitarian aid inflows are causing a significant increase in the price of goods on the local market. 'We have to take into account that most people don't have jobs, so they don't have a regular income. Purchasing power is still very limited. Action Against Hunger runs cash assistance programs, which provide immediate relief and help stimulate and rebuild the local economy. Those programs are much more efficient when prices are lower, and prices had come down a bit before Sunday,' the Action Against Hunger worker explained.
Humanitarian needs remain enormous. Sanitation in the north is one example. 'The entire population that was previously overcrowded in the south is now back to being overcrowded, only in the north, which has nearly no buildings left standing. The population has to move back into camps and there is no space and no infrastructure to contain exposure to disease. A few days ago, it rained heavily, causing the infrastructure to fail and absorb the water, causing stagnant water and sewage to flourish. Exposure to disease and pollution remains one of the most important problems to respond to,' the Action Against Hunger staff member said.
'Action Against Hunger continues to distribute water, tents, and hygiene kits. All of this continues to be an absolute priority. If water, food and shelter were needed during the conflict, they are still needed today,' Natalia Anguera said.
Action Against Hunger in Gaza
Action Against Hunger has been assisting the population in Gaza for more than 20 years. Responding to the escalating crisis, our teams have mobilized to provide hot meals and fresh and dry food, distribute hygiene kits, connect people with shelters, and truck clean water into communities. Since the start of the conflict, under restricted access and frequent blackouts, Action Against Hunger has assisted more than one million people in Gaza and the West Bank.
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