Early on Tuesday, a ship carrying nearly 200 tons of food departed from a port in Cyprus, embarking on a pioneering endeavor to establish a new sea route for delivering aid to Gaza, where a dire humanitarian crisis looms.
The charity vessel, Open Arms, was spotted setting sail from Larnaca port in Cyprus, towing a barge loaded with essential supplies including flour, rice, and protein. Operated by a Spanish charity of the same name, the ship’s destination upon arrival in Gaza has not been publicly disclosed.
The ambitious mission, primarily financed by the United Arab Emirates, is spearheaded by the US-based charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), with logistical support from the Spanish organization. Jose Andres, founder of WCK, and Erin Gore, its chief executive officer, articulated the vision behind the initiative, stating, “Our goal is to establish a maritime highway of boats and barges stocked with millions of meals continuously headed towards Gaza.”
This effort stands distinct from a US proposal to construct and manage a floating pier near the Gaza coast, facilitating the swift distribution of humanitarian assistance. The collaborating charities are committed to delivering aid directly to Gaza, which has been subjected to isolation since Israel launched an offensive in response to an October 7 attack by Hamas.
Given the lack of port infrastructure, WCK disclosed plans to construct a makeshift landing jetty in Gaza, utilizing materials salvaged from demolished buildings and rubble. Additionally, the organization revealed preparations to dispatch another 500 tonnes of aid accumulated in Cyprus to augment relief efforts in Gaza.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
