MVP

Tag: Amalthea plan

  • Humanitarian aid — New Humanitarian Aid Shipment for Gaza Arrives at Ashdod Port

    Humanitarian aid — New Humanitarian Aid Shipment for Gaza Arrives at Ashdod Port

    A new humanitarian aid shipment for Gaza arrived late on Saturday at the port of Ashdod via the “Amalthea” maritime corridor, highlighting continued international support for the region.

    • A new humanitarian aid shipment for Gaza arrived late on Saturday at the port of Ashdod via the "Amalthea" maritime corridor, highlighting continued international support for the region.

    Successful Unloading of Aid

    According to the Cyprus News Agency (KYPE), the unloading of 950 tonnes of aid was completed successfully without any issues. This operation is a testament to the meticulous planning and coordination involved in delivering assistance to those in need.

    Details of the Shipment

    President Nikos Christodoulides announced that the recent shipment comprised 950 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, organised into 44 containers. The materials came from various countries, including Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, France, Slovakia, and Kuwait.

    Contents of the Aid

    Viktoras Papadopoulos, Director of the President’s Press Office, confirmed that the aid includes essential food and hygiene items. The operation was conducted in collaboration with organisations such as the UN and UNOPS, alongside the UAE and other nations like France and Kuwait, as well as international humanitarian groups, including the World Central Kitchen.

    Ongoing Humanitarian Efforts

    This shipment represents the fifth delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza since August, contributing to a total of 4,000 tonnes already dispatched during this period. Papadopoulos noted that since the activation of the Amalthea Plan in March 2024, a significant total of 30,000 tonnes of aid has been sent to Gaza.

    Future Shipments Expected

    The ongoing commitment to providing aid to Gaza is evident, with further shipments anticipated in January. The increased interest in utilising the Amalthea Plan further underscores the dedication of various nations and organisations in responding to the humanitarian needs of the region.

    A Collaborative Approach

    The success of these aid shipments is largely due to the collaborative efforts between multiple stakeholders, including governments and humanitarian organisations. This partnership is crucial in ensuring that the aid reaches those who need it most efficiently and effectively.

    The Importance of Humanitarian Aid

    Humanitarian aid plays a vital role in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, especially in conflict-affected areas like Gaza. The provision of food, hygiene products, and other essential supplies helps alleviate suffering and supports the rebuilding of communities.

    The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza requires sustained attention and support from the international community. As shipments like the one that arrived at Ashdod continue, it is essential to maintain momentum in these efforts to ensure that aid reaches those in dire need.

  • Uncertainty Surrounds Cyprus’ Gaza Aid Shipment

    Uncertainty Surrounds Cyprus’ Gaza Aid Shipment

    gaza aid — gaza aid — The fate of the 1,200 tonnes of aid sent from Cyprus to Gaza last week remains unclear. As of 11am on Wednesday, satellite data indicated that the ship carrying the aid, the Panamanian-flagged Henke, was still stationed off the coast of Ashdod, Israel, rather than docked at the port.

    Initially, the Henke was expected to unload its cargo last Wednesday, but this timeline was subsequently pushed back to Sunday or Monday. Victor Papadopoulos, director of the presidential press office, informed the Cyprus Mail that no evidence of an artificial holdup in the aid transfer had been found, while foreign ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis stated that there were no problems regarding the aid transfer.

    Despite these assurances, questions loom about the current status of the shipment. It is uncertain if the ship has unloaded its cargo and, if so, why it remains anchored off Ashdod. If the aid successfully reaches Ashdod, it would then be transported overland to Gaza through the Erez crossing point.

    Repeated attempts by the Cyprus Mail to contact government officials for clarification have gone unanswered. Previously, Papadopoulos had mentioned on CyBC radio that the government was monitoring the situation and acknowledged the difficulties surrounding the transfer of aid to Gaza.

    He expressed hope that any existing problems would be resolved, allowing the aid to reach those in need. “We collected the material from various donors, and we contributed, we created the mechanisms, we sent the mission,” he stated. He also highlighted the complex security situation and the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of aid deliverers.

    Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen. Recent reports indicate that an Israeli military strike on a hospital has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, including journalists working for prominent outlets such as Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al Jazeera. The United Nations has called for thorough investigations into this incident and others, with human rights spokesman Thameen Al-Keetan condemning the strike as “a shock” and “unacceptable.”

    The uncertainty surrounding the aid shipment parallels the troubled history of the Amalthea plan, Cyprus’ humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza. Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, remarked last year that the Amalthea project could “never be a substitute” for land-based aid deliveries.

    In the past, aid has also been delivered to Gaza from Cyprus via a temporary jetty built and financed by the United States. However, this jetty faced numerous challenges and was only operational for a brief period before being dismantled. Installed in May last year, it was removed two months later after suffering structural damage during high winds.

    The jetty had been reattached following repairs but was removed again due to fears it could break apart once more. Additionally, delivery issues arose when the UN World Food Programme suspended operations related to the jetty after an Israeli military operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 200 Palestinians.

    Tragically, prior to these events, in April last year, seven aid workers transporting humanitarian aid overland from Cyprus were killed in simultaneous Israeli airstrikes. The complexities and dangers involved in delivering aid to Gaza remain a significant concern.