The Spanish humanitarian vessel, Open Arms Ship, is poised to embark on a critical mission from Cyprus to Gaza this upcoming weekend, carrying a lifeline of hope for a population teetering on the edge of famine. With a quarter of Gaza’s inhabitants facing starvation and children succumbing to malnutrition, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
Loaded with 200 tonnes of essential food supplies generously provided by the US charity World Central Kitchen, the Open Arms ship is scheduled to depart from Cyprus’ Larnaca port, aiming to reach Gaza within 2-3 days. However, the final stretch of the journey, covering approximately 216 nautical miles, poses the most formidable challenge, with uncertainties surrounding where the vessel will dock in Gaza due to the region’s lack of a functioning port and shallow waters.
Despite these obstacles, the founder of Open Arms remains undeterred, expressing confidence in the success of the aid mission. Meanwhile, the World Central Kitchen team is diligently constructing a pier in Gaza to facilitate the smooth reception of the humanitarian cargo. The urgency of the situation has prompted swift action from international bodies, with the European Commission announcing the establishment of a maritime corridor to Gaza.
Additionally, US President Biden has unveiled plans to construct a temporary floating port for Gaza, a project estimated to take 60 days with the assistance of 1,000 troops, enabling the delivery of up to 2 million meals daily. However, challenges persist as questions arise regarding the coordination between the US port and the EU sea corridor.
Gaza continues to face immense difficulty and danger in receiving aid, with reports of deaths resulting from failed aid drops and the World Food Programme suspending deliveries. Despite these setbacks, the need for urgent humanitarian assistance in Gaza remains paramount, underscoring the critical importance of the forthcoming aid mission.
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