USAID Administrator Samantha Power held talks Monday with Cindy McCain, head of the UN World Food Program, to discuss providing urgent humanitarian relief to Gaza during a temporary ceasefire.
In the call, Power thanked WFP personnel in Gaza for “putting their lives at risk” to deliver food and assistance on the ground. She reaffirmed U.S. commitment to reach Palestinians impacted by recent violence.
For her part, McCain updated Power on WFP operations in Gaza including challenges staff face in getting aid to those in need.
The two discussed coordinating efforts between USAID and WFP to accelerate and expand assistance to Gaza during the pause in hostilities brokered by Egypt.
Nearly two weeks of conflict has left over 14,000 Palestinians dead and thousands more injured and displaced, prompting a major humanitarian crisis.
With border crossings restricted, aid groups are struggling to scale up relief programs. Power and McCain talked about overcoming obstacles to aid flows before fighting resumes.
The U.S. has committed $85 million in Gaza emergency assistance so far. USAID and WFP play leading roles in channeling support like food, water medical care to civilians bearing the brunt.
