Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain. The Administrator and Executive Director McCain discussed ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza, in particular rising food insecurity in southern Gaza in light of expanded Israeli military operations and fighting by Hamas in Rafah and central Gaza.
Administrator Power underscored the urgent need for a predictable, consistent surge of aid into Gaza to meet critical needs of Palestinians, including more than one million people who have been displaced since early May, many of whom have been displaced by conflict multiple times. Administrator Power recognized the recent coordinated effort to increase movement of humanitarian commodities entering through the Kerem Shalom crossing, and commended WFP's efforts on last mile distribution to ensure more aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza. The Administrator recognized WFP for their efforts to reach millions of people in Gaza with food assistance with U.S. and other funding, despite the incredibly constrained operating environment and ongoing security risks for impacted populations and humanitarian staff.
The Administrator and Executive Director McCain also discussed the conflict in Sudan between Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, and the dire humanitarian conditions and ongoing challenges to aid distribution caused by the parties' obstruction. They discussed the need for all border crossings to be open to allow for UN and other humanitarian organizations to be able to distribute food and other emergency assistance to the millions of people in need, including to the over five million people on the brink of famine. Administrator Power and the Executive Director agreed that the only way for a lasting end to this war and to alleviate the suffering endured is through a political solution.
Finally, they discussed the crisis in Haiti, and efforts by the United States and other countries to improve security conditions so that the WFP and other humanitarian organizations can safely distribute food assistance to the most vulnerable.
The Administrator thanked Executive Director McCain and the WFP staff for their tireless work to address rising food insecurity around the world.
