U.S. and Jordanian military forces have initiated the delivery of provisions in Gaza.
AFP via Getty Images
U.S. and Jordanian forces have been providing aid in Gaza.
AFP via Getty Images
U.S. military aircraft have commenced the airdrop of food and essentials in Gaza recently.
As per U.S. Central Command, American and Jordanian troops released around 38,000 meals via parachutes along Gaza’s shoreline on Saturday.
Contrast that with the demand: Over 2 million individuals reside in the Gaza Strip, and approximately a quarter of them are on the brink of starvation, according to the U.N.
Jeremy Konyndyk, the president of Refugees International and former director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance during President Barack Obama’s tenure, discussed the inefficiency of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
He conversed with Ari Shapiro, the host of All Things Considered, regarding the last-resort nature of airdropping aid and his perspective on the “grim irony” of the U.S. engaging in such actions presently.
This interview has been slightly edited for brevity and clarity.
Key Points from the Interview
Ari Shapiro inquired about the effectiveness and utility of airdrops in humanitarian efforts, particularly in past conflicts.
Jeremy Konyndyk emphasized that airdrops are considered one of the least efficient methods of aid delivery and are employed only as a last resort when all other options are unavailable.
These airdrops are typically utilized in scenarios where a population is entirely cut off due to natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes, during conflicts, or when they are under siege.
For instance, during the crisis involving the Iraqi Yazidis fleeing from the ISIL militia in 2014, airdrops were conducted by the U.S. military to provide essential supplies to those stranded on Sinjar mountain.
Outside of such extreme circumstances, the use of airdrops is exceedingly rare, especially in areas that already have access to aid through overland routes.
Humanitarian Aid in Gaza: Challenges and Controversies
Aid parcels were dropped over the northern Gaza Strip on March 5, as seen in the image credited to Nicolas Garcia/AFP via Getty Images.
In a recent discussion, Shapiro questioned the inefficiency and the last-resort nature of airdropping aid. Konyndyk highlighted the primary reason as cost, pointing out that delivering aid by air is approximately eight to 10 times more expensive logistically compared to overland transport.
Additionally, the volume of aid that can be delivered via air is significantly smaller. For instance, Samantha Power, the USAID administrator, expressed concerns about the limited number of trucks entering Gaza daily. The recent airdrops by the U.S. were equivalent to only about four to six truckloads, which is relatively insignificant given the already inadequate aid flow.
Shapiro expressed astonishment at the high cost and minimal impact of airdrops, especially when compared to the limited number of trucks entering Gaza daily. Konyndyk confirmed the inefficiency and highlighted the frustration within the administration due to Israeli government’s obstruction of traditional aid channels.
The decision to proceed with airdrops reflects the administration’s exasperation with the Israeli government’s interference with standard aid distribution methods. Despite international obligations to facilitate humanitarian aid, Israel’s actions have raised concerns, leading to criticism from the U.S. officials.
Some critics have pointed out the contradiction in the U.S. providing military support to Israel while also sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. Konyndyk emphasized the need for the U.S. to exert pressure on Israel to address the blockages preventing aid from reaching the population.
In conclusion, the situation in Gaza highlights the complexities of humanitarian aid delivery, the challenges posed by political dynamics, and the need for international cooperation to ensure effective assistance reaches those in need.
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