Latest news with #WorldFoodProgramme
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘We're keen to transport' – Aid trucks for Gaza paid for by Ireland left sitting in warehouse for over 5 months
DELIVERY HALT 'We're keen to transport' – Aid trucks for Gaza paid for by Ireland left sitting in warehouse for over 5 months IRISH consignments of humanitarian aid for Gaza have been sitting in a warehouse for over five months due to restrictions imposed by Israel. The two consignments, consisting of tents, blankets, household items and non-perishable food, were halted from travelling into Gaza in March. Advertisement 3 The government announced an additional €2 million in funding for the World Food Programme, last week Credit: EPA 3 Four Irish trucks have been sitting in a warehouse outside of Jordan since March Credit: Getty Images stock photo They have since sat immobile in a warehouse in Jordan. The four trucks, paid for by Ireland, were dispatched in February and were due for immediate distribution. The trucks, however, were halted when Israel blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza in early March. Speaking to RTE, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign said they are "keen" to transport the supplies to Gaza "as soon as possible". Advertisement They said: "It was tents, blankets, household items and non-perishable food. It's all in a warehouse in Jordan at the moment, "Obviously, we're keen to transport it as soon as possible, but have been unable to do so due to the restrictions on aid into Gaza." The spokesperson added that Tanaiste Simon Harris had consistently called on Israel to lift restrictions and allow aid in. The majority of Irish aid to Gaza so far has been delivered through initiatives with the UN. Advertisement Last week, the government announced an additional €2 million in funding for the World Food Programme. The Programme, which helps people in need, managed to deliver 4,000 tonnes of food to people in Gaza last week. Israel to fully occupy Gaza City in 'five step plan' to finally destroy Hamas, free hostages, and end bloody war Speaking on the announcement, the Tanaiste said: "Deliberately denying food to people, including babies, in Gaza is beyond comprehension. "Children are starving in what is a catastrophic situation on the ground. Advertisement "In recent days, I've asked my officials to examine how best Ireland can play a part in helping. "This emergency package of funding being announced today will support the World Food Programme to get food to people who urgently need it." He explained that while the recent delivery of 4,000 tonnes of food represented life-saving work, the WFP estimate that 62,000 tonnes of food aid is needed per month in Gaza. He added: "Once again, we call on Israel to remove the many restrictions and delays on transport into and within Gaza. This is the only feasible way to avert famine in Gaza." Advertisement CHILDREN EVACUATED Meanwhile, the Department of Health has confirmed that Ireland will provide medical evacuations for 18 more children from Gaza to Irish hospitals. A dozen children have already been to Ireland along with their carers. These evacuations are part of a World Health Organisation program which Ireland has signed up to. The next group is expected to fly in from Egypt in early autumn. Advertisement In a statement, the Department of Health said: "Ireland has to date provided medical evacuation for 12 paediatric patients out of a commitment of 30 patients. "Twenty-three carers and family members have been evacuated along with these WHO patients" They added: "Medical evacuation will be provided for up to a further 18 WHO paediatric patients, their parents or carers and eligible immediate family members." 3 The shipment was halted when Israel blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza in early March Credit: Getty Images stock photo
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
UN Warns Gaza at ‘Dangerous Turning Point' Amid Escalating Hunger Crisis
Ahmed Emam The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has reached a 'dangerous turning point,' warned Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, cautioning that any further escalation of fighting would be catastrophic — particularly given the soaring number of hungry people, including children. According to Alqahera News, Mohamed Abdel Rahman, Haq said several residents have died in recent weeks from hunger, a crisis that could spiral beyond the control of humanitarian agencies if conditions continue to deteriorate. On the UN's response, Haq explained that the organization is working to channel food aid through the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings from Israel into Gaza, despite procedural hurdles that can delay truck entry by up to 18 hours. The World Food Programme (WFP) currently has enough supplies outside Gaza to feed two million people for three months, but distribution inside the enclave remains the main challenge. Haq rejected Israel's recently discussed plan to reassert control over Gaza, reiterating the UN's opposition to such expansionist measures. He said UN officials have told the Security Council that prolonging or widening the war would make the delivery of aid impossible. The Secretary-General, he added, is pushing for a permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and the release of all hostages. The UN spokesperson also praised Egypt's role, noting the organization values the efforts of Egypt and Qatar in facilitating aid deliveries and political mediation. He said pre-arranged plans are in place to resume full operation of distribution centers once the situation stabilizes. The collapse of Gaza's food distribution system, he warned, has forced desperate residents to seize supplies directly from aid trucks before they reach designated centers. Haq further stressed the urgency of reinstating the coordination system that was in place earlier this year, which helped avert a crisis of this scale. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Israel Prepares for Gaza City Military Takeover, Vowing to Win Longest War
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured cabinet approval on Friday for a military takeover of Gaza City, which he described as part of a final push to topple Hamas after 22 months of fighting and recover its last 50 hostages, dead or alive. The decision to step up operations in the Gaza Strip's biggest city marks an escalation in a conflict that's already devastated the Palestinian territory, where the United Nations World Food Programme has warned half a million people are starving. 'The Israel Defense Forces will prepare to seize Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside combat zones,' a statement from Netanyahu's office said. Today's guests: Charlotte Ryland, CCLA Investment Management Head of Investments, Richard Portes, London Business School Professor of Economics, Jaroslava Barbieri, Chatham House Research Fellow (Source: Bloomberg)
The National
3 days ago
- Health
- The National
Stunted brain development, illness and trauma: How famine will affect Gaza's children forever
Children who survive Gaza's starvation crisis will suffer permanent damage as a lack of food affects their growth and brain development, experts told The National. Nearly 12,000 children under the age of five were found to be acutely malnourished in July, the UN said. It was the highest monthly figure recorded to date in Gaza. Famine was declared in the enclave by an international hunger monitor, after Israel blocked aid from entering the strip, depriving 2.2 million people of a daily supply of food and medicine, as well as sufficient shelter. Officials in Gaza have said more than 190 people, including at least 96 children, have died of hunger. Many Palestinians fear what is to come, as Israel discusses a move to reoccupy Gaza and aid distribution sites run by the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation turn into death traps. But the war will have a lasting effect on those who survive. The first three years of a child's life are crucial, with their brains developing faster during their first 1,000 days than at any other time in their lives, said Lynnda Kiess, a nutritionist at the World Food Programme. "Poor nutrition during that window leads to irreversible damage to the child's growing brain which can be seen at school and their economic performance later on," she said. Save the Children said 43 per cent of Gaza's breastfeeding mothers needed treatment for malnutrition. Some women have reported having no breast milk as they grow more weary, hungry and thirsty. The effects a lack of vitamin A, iron, folic acid and zinc can have on pregnant women and children can only be seen after it is too late to reverse the damage. "In the case of vitamin A, children develop night blindness or eye malformations – and by then that's very, very late," Ms Kiess said. When a child is denied a steady supply of nutritious food, as has been the case in Gaza for the past 22 months, not only is their growth interrupted, but the development of their immune system is also harmed, making them more prone to illnesses. The children of Gaza who survive the war are unlikely to reach their full potential, Ms Keiss warned. "The cost of missing that 1,000-day window, and not being able to provide the nutrition in that window on an individual, community and societal level, is an opportunity lost," she explained. World Bank studies have shown that countries can lose up to 10 per cent of their GDP due to malnutrition. "Good nutrition contributes to human capital development and, if we don't have that, then it sets back countries for economic development in the future," Ms Kiess added. Children who have had insufficient access to food can develop learning difficulties. Rob Williams, head of the War Child Alliance charity, said pupils in Gaza who have been out of school for two years will also have to battle post-traumatic stress disorders when they return to the classroom. These challenges, exacerbated by food insecurity, can cause difficulties with simple matters such as concentrating in class, because of the interruption to the child's cognitive development. "In general, a child who has experienced malnutrition might have a lower IQ score, with an average of seven to 10 points less than their peers who grew up in the same country but without acute malnutrition in that age," Mr Williams said. He also made reference to the Barbados Nutrition Study, a 55-year project that looked at adults who experienced malnutrition in their first year of life, showing they were more likely to develop behavioural problems. "Beyond physical injury and deaths, which have been visible, there will be invisible internal injuries that will play out over years and may lead to life-long challenges for a whole generation that would achieve less than they might otherwise," Mr Williams said.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
US provides additional P13.8-million relief aid for Philippines
The United States is providing P13.8 million more in relief aid to the Philippines to support the government's disaster response efforts in areas affected by severe floodings caused by tropical storms and an enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) last July. Additional funding will provide emergency shelter assistance and hygiene kits to more than 3,000 families, or about 15,800 individuals, housed in evacuation centers in Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Pampanga, the US Embassy in Manila said Friday. The second tranche of aid from Washington brings the total amount of its assistance to P27.6 million or $500,000. US military air assets were also sent to the country to help the the Armed Forces of the Philippines deliver 6,300 food packs for 18,000 residents in remote areas in the northern Philippine province of Batanes. 'Although flooding has subsided in most areas, thousands of families remaining in evacuation centers continue to face significant challenges,' US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Robert Ewing said. 'We are grateful to be working alongside our partners, including IOM, the World Food Programme, the Philippines' Office of Civil Defense, and the DSWD, to help affected families recover and rebuild.' More than 1.8 million families were affected by the disaster and around 20,000 remain in temporary government shelters, according officials. Evacuees will receive shelter-grade tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, and essential household supplies to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed, the embassy said. Each shelter repair kit contains basic construction tools and materials to help families begin rebuilding their homes. To promote health and sanitation and improve living conditions in evacuation centers, families will also receive hygiene kits containing soap, buckets, and cleaning supplies. The IOM or the International Organization for Migration will monitor the condition of hygiene and sanitation facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of affected families, the embassy said. — Michaela Del Callar/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
