The UN representative expressed the hope that Baerbock's current diplomatic mission would also achieve humanitarian progress. “Substantial aid must reach those in need in Gaza safely and permanently,” Frick told AFP. “This cannot be achieved by bombs falling and shooting, but only through an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. At the same time, all hostages must be released.”
Frick expressed alarm at the current distress in the Gaza Strip. “Already today, virtually everyone in Gaza is starving, and one in four people is on the verge of starvation,” the UN official said. “This conflict has caused an incredible amount of suffering, destruction and hardship in just three months.”
Frick pointed out that the World Food Program currently classifies 577,000 people in the Gaza Strip in the highest hunger risk category. In the rest of the world there are 129,000 people. “Nowhere in the world are more people suffering from hunger as much as in Gaza right now”he said.
“These bare numbers mean for the local people that they cannot find anything to eat for days and have to stand in line for hours for basic things like bread or warm soup,” emphasized Frick. “Markets, shops, agriculture – virtually all supply systems have collapsed.”
Last month, WFP reached around 800,000 people in 100 emergency shelters in the Gaza Strip with basic food supplies. “However, bombings and fighting do not allow for secure and long-term supplies.”warned Frick, who represents the World Food Program in Germany and other German-speaking countries.
The UN representative was grateful that Germany was supporting the work of the World Food Program in the Gaza Strip “with substantial contributions.” “Europe can achieve even more together here,” said Frick.
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