Explainer: How can we get more aid into Gaza?

Home Explainer: How can we get more aid into Gaza?
March 15, 2024 Occupied Palestinian Territory -

Children are dying of starvation in Gaza and famine is looming. We spoke to Alun McDonald, Islamic Relief’s head of media and external relations, about some of the challenges of getting enough aid into Gaza, and why proposed air and sea routes are no alternative to getting aid in by land.

Alun McDonald, Islamic Relief’s head of media and external relations

What sort of aid is needed in Gaza?

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is the worst in the world, with children and older people now starving to death and others eating grass or leaves to try to survive. Time is running out to prevent a massive and entirely man-made famine. We urgently need to get a wide range of lifesaving aid including food, medicine and hygiene items into Gaza.

What are the challenges getting aid into Gaza at the moment?

People desperately need more aid, but the 2 biggest challenges are the Israeli blockade and the absence of a ceasefire.

Israel controls everything coming into Gaza through the 2 crossings that are currently open for aid trucks (Rafah and Kerem Shalom, also known as Karem Abu Salem).

There are lines of aid trucks waiting for Israeli permission to enter, and vital aid including cancer medicine, anaesthetics and water filters have been denied entry. The UN reported that small scissors have even been confiscated from children’s medical kits.

Even before the current escalation at least 500 trucks a day entered Gaza – now the needs are massively increased and a bare minimum of at least 800-1,000 trucks a day are needed. But in the last month only around 130 trucks a day have got through on average.

Even when aid does get into Gaza, it is extremely dangerous and difficult to deliver it amidst ongoing attacks, bombing and damaged roads.

In the past couple of weeks hundreds of desperate civilians have been killed while queueing up to get food aid for their hungry children.

Gaza is now the most dangerous place in the world to deliver aid, with hundreds of humanitarian workers and health staff killed and aid convoys attacked.

Several governments are now flying aid and dropping it from the air. Does that help?

Air dropping aid is usually only a last resort as it’s the least effective method.

We’ve seen in recent days that it can even be deadly, with 5 people killed by falling food boxes.

When you’re dropping aid from great heights, it’s hard to control where it goes or who gets it. In Gaza some of the aid has fallen into the sea and some into extremely dangerous areas with heavy fighting.

When humanitarian agencies distribute aid on the ground, we take steps to ensure that it reaches the most vulnerable groups – such as older people, people with disabilities, and orphaned children. We can ensure that women are prioritised too. But when it’s dropped from the air it’s much harder to manage and it’s often the strongest and healthiest men who reach the aid first.

It’s also a very expensive way to deliver relatively small quantities – an air drop generally provides just a fraction of the aid that can be delivered by a truck convoy. 

What about the new announcements of bringing aid in by sea?

There are efforts to open a maritime corridor from Cyprus, but it will have very limited impact without a ceasefire and an end to the blockade. There are several challenges…

First, the logistics. We are racing against time to save lives, but it’s likely to take weeks to set up the necessary infrastructure for sea access, such as a floating port. Meanwhile, trucks are already queuing up ready to enter as soon as allowed. 

Dozens of ships a day will be needed. So far one ship with 200 tonnes of aid has set off – that’s reportedly equivalent to about 15 trucks, when we need at least 800 trucks a day.  The amount of aid likely to come by sea is literally a drop in the ocean compared to what’s needed.

Second, the blockade. Israel will still screen all the aid coming in via sea, meaning it’s likely to face the same restrictions and delays that are currently seen at the existing crossings.

And third – even if aid does get to Gaza via the sea, it will then still have to be delivered by trucks on land. Without a ceasefire, these land routes are still extremely dangerous and heavily restricted. Over the last month the UN says at least 75% of UN-led missions to northern Gaza – where starvation is highest – have been refused access by the Israeli military. 

How is Islamic Relief getting aid in?

We are working with UN agencies such as the World Food Programme, who are bringing in some food via the Kerem Shalom crossing which we then distribute. We’ve also managed to bring in some blankets and hygiene kits through the Rafah crossing, and we are constantly trying to get more in.

Despite the huge challenges, our team in Gaza and our local partners are delivering aid every day. So far we’ve cooked over 4 million ready-to-eat meals for displaced families in the overcrowded shelters, and distributed aid such as 44,000 hygiene or dignity kits that include things like soap, nappies for infants and menstrual hygiene items for women and girls. 

But it’s nowhere near enough and we desperately need more aid to get into Gaza.

What needs to happen?

Only a ceasefire and an end to Israel’s blockade can ensure that enough aid reaches people and address the enormous humanitarian catastrophe.

More aid is urgently needed, but the sea and air initiatives won’t be enough and can’t be a substitute for getting more aid in by land, which is by far the most effective route. We need more aid to enter through the 2 current crossings, and the other crossings such as Erez/Beit Hanoun and Karni to be reopened to aid supplies. Commercial goods must be allowed in as well as aid, to restock Gaza’s depleted markets.    

We want international governments to demand an immediate and lasting ceasefire and do everything they can to pressure Israel to allow full unimpeded humanitarian access, as obligated under international law.

How can I help?

For many people in Gaza, the aid that’s getting in is their only lifeline. This Ramadan please support Islamic Relief’s lifesaving work and donate your zakat and sadaqah.

But humanitarian aid alone is not enough and people in Gaza urgently need political action. Please keep writing to your political representatives and call on them to demand an immediate ceasefire and end to Israel’s siege.

Please help Islamic Relief support people in desperate need in Gaza: Donate to our Palestine Emergency Appeal now.

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Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

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Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.