Aid organizations in Gaza have sought to distance themselves from a newly formed foundation bidding to deliver food aid, following a leaked letter that sparked controversy. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has proposed a plan to deliver non-food humanitarian aid, such as medical supplies and shelter materials, through its own distribution system.
However, many aid organizations have expressed concerns about the GHF’s role in the delivery of aid, citing concerns over technical capacity and field infrastructure. Several major NGOs, including Save the Children, International Medical Corps, and Mercy Corps, have confirmed that they spoke to GHF but have not agreed to collaborate or participate in food distribution.
The leaked letter, dated May 22, was sent by GHF executive director Jake Wood to Cogat, the Israeli military unit overseeing aid logistics in Gaza. In it, Wood clarifies that Israel and GHF have agreed on the delivery of non-food humanitarian aid under the existing UN-led system.
GHF claims that its role is solely focused on food delivery, but critics argue that the plan could undermine the existing aid delivery mechanism and create a lack of coordination among humanitarian agencies. The controversy has raised concerns about the organization’s ties to Israeli officials and its ability to deliver aid effectively.
The situation highlights the challenges facing humanitarian organizations in Gaza, where access to aid is already heavily restricted due to conflict and restrictions imposed by Israel. As the GHF prepares to launch its new aid delivery mechanism, many are watching closely to see whether it can navigate the complexities of the Gaza aid landscape without undermining the existing system.
Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ngos-distance-gaza-humanitarian-foundation-after-leaked-letter