Gaza Humanitarian Response to the Crisis
As of May 2025, Gaza is experiencing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in its history. A de facto blockade, strengthened military campaigns, and large-scale destruction of infrastructure have resulted in the loss of lives of more than 53,000 people, including more than 400 aid responders. The international community is in a hurry to respond, but the aid response is impacted by political, logistical, and security challenges.
Time
The Humanitarian Landscape
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that 84% of Gaza’s healthcare facilities are destroyed or damaged and 92% of housing infrastructure is damaged or completely destroyed. One-quarter of the population of Gaza is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be in catastrophic hunger. Rapid growth of severe malnutrition among children and pregnant women with over 9,000 children being admitted for the treatment of severe malnutrition since the beginning of the year .
The Guardian
Forbes
Delivering Aid: Not an Easy Task
Humanitarian organizations are having a difficult time delivering aid in light of several challenges:
Blockades and Barriers: Israel has licensed a limited re-opening of food assistance to Gaza, but the amounts are minor and subject to conditions humanitarian organizations say violate humanitarian standards .
The Guardian
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Raiding and Safety Dangers: Up to 30% gets stolen, often by gangs employing machinery, taking advantage of the lack of law and order .
Anera
Destruction of Infrastructure: More than two-thirds of Gaza’s road infrastructure are destroyed and only 25% of the humanitarian warehouses are operational.
blogs.hanken.fi
Financial Limitations: The damaged financial infrastructure impedes the movement of funds, including even operations like the Gaza Soup Kitchen, which provides food to as many as 3,000 people daily.
Wikipedia
Global Response
The European Union has pledged a €120 million aid package to Gaza, bringing overall EU humanitarian assistance since 2023 above €450 million. UNICEF delivered nearly 1,000 truckloads of aid in the January ceasefire, but these are rapidly depleting. But aid agencies warn that unless access and a political resolution are long-term, these efforts will be insufficient.
Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf
Forbes
The Way Forward
Overcoming Gaza’s humanitarian crisis entails:
Unfettered Access: Allowing aid to travel to all parts of Gaza without hindrance.
Security Assurances: Ensuring protection for aid centers and convoys against attacks and looting.
Anera
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Wikipedia
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Rehabilitating Infrastructure: Fixing warehouses and roads to allow for distribution of aid.
Financial Assistance: Resuscitating banking facilities and financial systems to allow for cash aid and economic revival.
The world has to act quickly and resolutely to alleviate the suffering of the population in Gaza and work towards a peaceful and long-term resolution of the crisis.
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