In an interview with NHK, WFP (World Food Program) Deputy Director-General Skow said about the situation in the Gaza Strip, where the humanitarian crisis is deepening, saying, ``It is now the world's worst humanitarian crisis, and the situation is catastrophic.'' He called for urgent assistance.
WFP Deputy Director-General Karl Skow, the number two visiting member of WFP in Japan, gave an interview to NHK in Tokyo on the 15th.
Regarding the Gaza Strip, he said, ``The situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic, and it is now the world's worst humanitarian crisis.Especially in the north, it is estimated that around 90% of the population is starving. "Children are starting to die from malnutrition," he said, calling for urgent need for food aid.
When WFP resumed food assistance for the first time in three weeks on March 12, he said, ``Families who received the food sat down on the spot and began eating canned beans on the street. I don't even have the strength,'' he said, describing the dire situation.
He also indicated that the United States and the European Union are coordinating with the Israeli side regarding the maritime transport of food from the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus to the Gaza Strip, which began on March 12.
On the other hand, Deputy Director-General Skou gave a certain evaluation of the move to bring goods in by air and sea, but said, ``The only way to eliminate hunger among residents is to secure a safe land route. "There is a limit to the amount of supplies that can be dropped or transported by sea," he said, pointing out that securing land routes is essential.