The United Nations aid coordination office (Ocha) warned on Tuesday that humanitarian assistance to Gaza is being delayed because aid cargo is routinely given lower priority than commercial goods, as winter storms further worsen already dire living conditions for displaced families.
“Despite sustained efforts by the UN and its partners…we continue to provide a response, but the needs outpace the speed with which we can respond,” Olga Cherevko, an Ocha spokesperson, said, according to the UN News website.
“Inside Gaza, the number of routes available for transporting aid remains limited, as do the crossings through which supplies can enter.”
She added that a growing list of items, including heavy machinery, equipment, and spare parts needed to repair damaged infrastructure, continues to be blocked by Israeli authorities