Saudi Arabia and Jordan collaborate to airdrop food aid to Gaza
In a humanitarian effort, Saudi Arabia and Jordan joined forces to airdrop 30 tonnes of ready-to-eat food for besieged Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, as announced by the Saudi aid agency KSrelief on Sunday.
Airdrop mission with Jordanian partners
The airdrop operation was conducted in conjunction with the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization and the Jordanian Hashemite Armed Forces, according to a statement released by KSrelief.
Immediate consumption without heating
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, director general of KSrelief, highlighted that the food supplies dropped by air are suitable for immediate consumption without the need for heating.
Challenges faced and call for action
KSrelief and other aid agencies resorted to parachute drops of food aid to Gaza due to the closure of border crossings by the Israeli occupation forces. Al-Rabeeah emphasized the need for the opening of border crossings, expressing concerns about the sustainability of airdrops to meet the high demand for humanitarian assistance.
Continued support and assistance
KSrelief’s ongoing campaign for Palestinians has raised over $184 million to date. Additionally, the Kingdom has operated air and sea bridges to facilitate aid delivery. Despite efforts by the US military to establish a temporary sea port in Gaza, challenges persist due to stormy seas.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The conflict in Gaza has led to the displacement of over 2 million Palestinians, with significant casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure. The resulting healthcare crisis has seen a rise in communicable diseases, particularly among children, and has disrupted the education system in Gaza, according to the UN.