ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The governments of the United States (US), Republic of Cyprus, European Commission, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Qatar plan to open a maritime corridor to send much-needed additional humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea.
On Wednesday, March 13 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Dr. Constantinos Kombos hosted an online meeting to discuss planning to open a maritime corridor to channel humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The ministers agreed that there was no replacement for the land route through Egypt and Jordan, as well as the entry point from Israel to Gaza for large-scale aid deliveries. They also agreed to open the port of Ashdod for humanitarian aid.
“Once established, this corridor will enable the distribution of up to two million daily food aid as well as medicine, clean water and other critical humanitarian supplies. “Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Canada also support this effort,” explained US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, quoted from the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson’s Office, Thursday, March 14 2024.
The ministers committed to continuing their engagement, and sent senior officials to the Republic of Cyprus the week of March 18 2024 to discuss this, including US military planning to establish a temporary dock that could receive large amounts of humanitarian aid.
Senior officials will also consult on the possibility of establishing a joint fund to support maritime corridors, and coordinate ongoing in-kind and financial contributions.
According to the ministers, this corridor should be part of increasing the flow of aid through all possible routes, including the continued expansion of land routes and air deliveries, in close collaboration with the UN Senior Coordinator for Gaza Humanitarian and Reconstruction, Sigrid Kaag.
They also emphasized that Israel needs to open additional routes so that more aid can reach Gaza and loosen overall customs restrictions to facilitate increased flows of humanitarian aid.
Blinken also reiterated that these routes will be a complement, not a substitute, considering that the land route is still the most important way. because assistance can be provided directly to people who need it.
“However, this will help close existing gaps, and it is part of our strategy to ensure that we do everything possible to increase assistance to those who need it – by land, sea and air,” he said. (AT Network)
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