Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has announced a temporary suspension of WFP operations in Gaza, citing concerns for the safety of staff.
In response to a question about food distribution in Gaza following the reopening of the American humanitarian aid pier, McCain said, “We have temporarily halted operations because I am concerned for the safety of our staff after yesterday’s events.”
McCain explained that two of their warehouses and another storage facility were bombed recently. As a result, the WFP has decided to pause activities to ensure conditions are safe before resuming operations. She added that one WFP staff member was injured in the recent rocket attack on their site.
When asked about the specifics of the attack on WFP staff, McCain admitted she was not fully aware of how they were targeted.
She emphasized the need for a ceasefire to ensure safe and widespread delivery of aid, stating, “This is why we need to stop this, so we can get our aid and aid from other organizations on a large scale. What nearly happened in the north (of Gaza) could happen in the south—a famine.”
McCain stressed that the current situation is extremely difficult due to ongoing hostilities.
“People are very hungry and unable to access food due to the danger. We need to ensure we can enter the region and provide food on a large scale.”
She also pointed out that the people of Gaza need more than just food; they require water, sanitation services, and medicine.
“Famine is not just about hunger; it involves all these other factors as well,” McCain concluded.
