Maritime Corridors, Not Airdrops Can Help with Relief Efforts to Gaza
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens amidst ongoing conflict, two nascent maritime corridors present a glimmer of hope.
Humanitarian aid packages dropped from the air by Jordanian army planes are seen floating on the sky in Gaza City, Gaza on March 01, 2024. Operation 'aims to alleviate the impact of the war and compensate for the severe shortages in food and medicine,' says army. Photo by Anadolu Images.
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s the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens amidst ongoing conflict, two nascent maritime corridors present a glimmer of hope for augmenting aid delivery to the embattled region. Despite challenges with internal distribution, these sea routes hold the potential to surpass prewar aid levels and alleviate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
The World Health Organization’s recent call for restoring humanitarian access to Gaza emphasized the urgent need for sustained aid delivery, including food, medicine, and fuel. While ground supply modalities are being developed, efforts to establish maritime corridors have gained momentum, with the United States and a coalition of partners taking the lead.
Quantifying aid requirements during conflict is challenging, but estimates suggest that Gaza needs hundreds of truckloads of aid daily to meet basic necessities. Ground routes have been limited due to the ongoing hostilities, prompting the exploration of alternative delivery methods.
Airdrops
Airdrops, conducted by the U.S. Air Force and other countries, have provided some immediate relief. However, their overall impact remains minimal due to logistical challenges and the limited quantity of aid that can be delivered through this method.
In contrast, maritime corridors offer a promising solution. The U.S. military is mobilizing personnel to establish a joint logistics capability in the East Mediterranean, with the potential to deliver millions of meals per day by the end of the month. Additionally, a private American firm, Fogbow, is developing a commercial maritime corridor originating from Cyprus, which could significantly increase aid flow to Gaza.
Both options aim to deliver aid directly to northern Gaza, the area most at risk of famine, bypassing the logistical hurdles associated with ground transport. While challenges remain, including shoreside distribution and security concerns, these corridors represent a more efficient and effective means of delivering aid compared to airdrops.
Concerns about the cost and timing
Critics have raised concerns about the cost and timing of implementing maritime corridors. However, proponents argue that the long-term benefits, including increased aid delivery and improved distribution mechanisms, outweigh the challenges.
In the face of escalating conflict and a growing humanitarian disaster, the establishment of maritime corridors offers a ray of hope for Gaza’s residents. With continued international support and coordination, these sea routes have the potential to provide vital assistance to those in need and pave the way for a more sustainable humanitarian response in the region.
Source: The Washington Institute
