Italy launches 'Food for Gaza' initiative to help war-ravaged Palestinians

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - Italy is teaming up with international organizations active in the field in Gaza to provide Palestinians suffering from the war access to humanitarian aid, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Monday, launching the “Food for Gaza” initiative.

The operation is based on coordination with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

“It is a program whose objective is to coordinate the action of these important organizations, which are based in Rome, with the Italian government,” Tajani said at a joint press conference with FAO, WFP and Red Cross representatives.

“We want to do more on the humanitarian front, given that the situation is dramatic,” he added. “Our civil protection agency will also be involved in the maritime humanitarian corridor that should start from Cyprus.”

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said the current “situation of food insecurity in Gaza has obliged us to intervene.”

“We need to do the utmost to support the civil population that is suffering, especially children,” he added.

“The entire population of Gaza is on the brink of starvation. We must do our best," said IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain. "This humanitarian crisis is unimaginable. The extent of it requires a collective response," he said.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza, Italy has been at the forefront in providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population, delivering relief goods and helping people in need of medical assistance, including minors and their families. ​​​​​​​