The United Kingdom has announced new funding for the World Food Programme to support the provision of large quantities of aid to Gaza in collaboration with Jordan, amidst increasing concerns about the risk of famine in the region. The British embassy in Amman stated in a release that the largest shipment of British aid has entered the Gaza Strip via the border, with the United Nations working to distribute it to families in need.
It was noted that the World Food Programme will distribute over 2,000 tons of food aid, funded by the British government, in addition to 150 tons of relief materials that were funded by the UK, including blankets and tents, which have recently arrived and will be distributed by UNICEF. A British field hospital operated by the UK-Aid charity has also arrived in Gaza and will begin providing life-saving medical care.
The embassy added that this new shipment includes fortified wheat flour for use in bakeries, hot meals, as well as ready-to-eat food packages, indicating that these food packages will benefit over 275,000 people in Gaza. Each food package is intended for a family of five and includes canned vegetables, meat, fish, date sweets, and provides about half of the daily caloric intake needed for a family over a 15-day period.
The British ambassador to Jordan, Philip Hall, stated: "More than 2,000 tons of food aid funded by the UK entered Gaza this week, and this aid is being distributed by the World Food Programme, with most of it reaching Gaza thanks to the facilitation provided by Jordan." He emphasized the urgent need for this aid, highlighting the importance of partnerships in providing relief to the people of Gaza.
According to the statement, Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated: "It is essential to maintain the flow of aid to Gaza to alleviate suffering, and this reason makes this new shipment of aid via the World Food Programme extremely vital." He pointed out that the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report warns that famine is imminent. Therefore, we need crossings to ensure the continuous arrival of humanitarian aid by land to allow more to enter. We continue to urge Israel to allow more crossings to open for longer periods and to restore healthcare services and water and sanitation networks."
He added that this new shipment of aid was again facilitated by Jordan, which has played a significant role in supporting the British humanitarian response. Since the crossing was opened in December 2023, the Jordanian government, alongside the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, has worked to ensure the passage of about 600 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid to Gaza, carrying 8,000 tons of relief and food supplies. Humanitarian aid has reached Gaza from 10 different international relief agencies, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF, partners of the United Kingdom.
