ROME: The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said Wednesday it had delivered food into war-torn Gaza through the Israeli Kerem Shalom border crossing in the first direct aid convoy from Jordan.

The arrival of the 46-truck convoy, carrying more than 750 tonnes of goods, came after ‘weeks of coordination with all parties’, the Rome-based organisation said.

“This crucial first step could pave the way for a more sustainable aid corridor through Jordan and allow for the delivery of more aid at scale,” it said.

The WFP said it had been mobilising resources from around the region.

“Delivering food from Jordan, to Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing, will increase the volume and speed of food reaching the Gaza Strip, as millions face the risk of starvation,” it said.

Israel last Friday approved the temporary delivery of aid into Gaza via its Kerem Shalom border crossing, opening a new route for supplies after weeks of pressure.

“Establishing a corridor through Jordan will increase the flow of aid and remove some of the pressure and congestion we are currently facing,” said Samer AbdelJaber, WFP representative in the Palestinian territories.

“This will allow us to secure more supplies and have more trucks on the road.”

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2023

Opinion

One year on

One year on

Governance by the ruling coalition has been underwhelming and marked by growing authoritarianism.

Editorial

Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...
Maintaining balance
Updated 16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

It must take a more proactive approach to establishing Pakistan’s bona fides.
Welcome return
16 Feb, 2025

Welcome return

IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council...
Childhood trauma
16 Feb, 2025

Childhood trauma

BEING a child in this society should not be so hard. But recurrent reports of child abuse — from burying girl...