A vessel laden with nearly 200 tonnes of essential supplies embarked from a harbor in Cyprus early on Tuesday, marking the beginning of an experimental effort to establish a new avenue of maritime aid for the vulnerable population of Gaza, teetering on the edge of famine.
Departing from Larnaca port in Cyprus, the charity vessel Open Arms set sail, pulling along a barge loaded with crucial provisions such as flour, rice, and protein.
Owned by a Spanish charity bearing the same name, the ship’s ultimate destination upon reaching Gaza remains undisclosed.
“This is the first step in our mission to create a continuous flow of aid to Gaza through a maritime route,” stated Jose Andres, founder of the US-based charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), which is spearheading the initiative alongside its CEO, Erin Gore.
WCK-provided aid has set sail for Gaza on the @openarms_fund boat. We dispatched almost 200 tons of food—rice, flour, legumes, canned veggies & proteins. Alongside the @UAEAid & @CyprusMFA, our Relief Team is working to send as many aid boats as possible.#ChefsForThePeople pic.twitter.com/oypXF8WbDH
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) March 12, 2024
Funded primarily by the United Arab Emirates, the operation aims to provide direct assistance to Gaza, a region isolated from the outside world following Israel’s military actions in response to an October 7 attack by Hamas.
Separate from a US-led initiative to establish a floating pier near the Gaza coast for swift aid delivery, this endeavor focuses on the direct delivery of supplies by sea.
Due to the lack of port infrastructure in Gaza, WCK plans to construct a makeshift landing jetty using materials salvaged from demolished buildings and debris.
Additional aid, totaling 500 tonnes, has been amassed in Cyprus for future dispatch to Gaza, reinforcing the commitment of these charities to alleviate the humanitarian crisis gripping the region.
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