The U.S. State Department announced today, Thursday, that President Joe Biden has appointed Liz Grande as the new Special Envoy for Humanitarian Issues in the Middle East. The department stated on its official website that “Washington will rely on Liz’s decades of humanitarian experience to urgently address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
The statement highlighted that Biden has been keen on increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza following the events of October 7. It noted that the contributions of the previous envoy, David Satterfield, over the past seven months were essential for increasing the volume of aid.
President Biden expressed his gratitude to the former envoy, affirming “the continued benefit from Satterfield’s expertise on these issues, as he will continue to serve in the State Department as a senior advisor.”
According to the U.S. State Department, Grande recently held the position of President and CEO of the U.S. Institute of Peace and has nearly three decades of experience in leading, managing, and coordinating complex and large-scale United Nations operations. She has a substantial background in working within Africa and the Middle East, including her role as the head of UN humanitarian and developmental operations in Yemen, where she was responsible for coordinating one of the world’s largest UN operations.
Grande also served as the Deputy Head of the UN political mission in Iraq during the campaign against ISIS, where she led UN efforts to stabilize over 20 cities liberated from ISIS, as per the department’s statement.
The statement added that “Washington will continue to use all possible means to ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable populations in Gaza and to protect humanitarian workers in the region.”
The humanitarian situation in the Middle East has seen significant developments in recent years, with ongoing conflicts exacerbating the crises across the region.
In Syria, the situation remains dire as political deadlock and ongoing violence have prolonged suffering and hindered peace efforts. Over 16.7 million people require humanitarian assistance, and despite the need, funding for humanitarian appeals has reached a record low. This funding shortfall has forced the World Food Programme to drastically cut back its food assistance programs, affecting millions of Syrians who depend on this aid for survival
In Yemen, the conflict continues to cause widespread humanitarian issues. A recent increase in hostilities, including airstrikes and missile attacks by the Houthi rebel group in the Red Sea region, has escalated tensions and risked further destabilizing the region. The UN has highlighted the fragility of recent humanitarian improvements in Yemen, which are at risk of being reversed if the conflict escalates further.
The Gaza Strip also remains a critical concern. The ongoing conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with a significant portion of the population displaced and living under harsh conditions. Efforts to deliver aid and provide relief are continuously challenged by the security situation and restricted access to the most vulnerable populations.
