In response to media reports on Tuesday that the UN had warned that aid efforts may have to be halted unless the security situation and coordination with the Israeli military improve, Emergency Coordinator Martin Griffiths denied that an “ultimatum” had been given.
“We continue, as we have been doing for many, many months, to negotiate with the Israeli authorities and others, with a lot of help, by the way, from the US, as you know, to create the right conditions to be able to do it safely and securely delivery,” he said. UN news in an exclusive interview, just days before he was due to resign.
No withdrawal from the relief mission
“We are not running away from Gaza at all, but what is true now – and I think that is the basis for this story – is of course that we are mainly concerned about the security situation in Gaza, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to operate.”
The UN aid chief’s comments follow the publication Tuesday of the latest bleak assessment of food insecurity in Gaza marked the “high risk” of famine throughout the Gaza Strip “as long as the conflict continues and humanitarian access is limited.”
“Aid can make a difference, that’s why we need to get all these border crossings open,” Mr Griffiths said.
“That’s why we need safety and security, that’s why we need the pier to restart and get that help from the beach if that’s possible. We need all hands on deck for that. We’re going to keep going. But Every time we fail to get help to the people who need it, we fail them every day.”
Political focus is crucial
“The problem is a political problem, that is the real effort, that must be the focus of all our efforts. And indeed, one of the interesting aspects of the Middle East is that there is a lot of political diplomacy and mediation going on,” he continued.
“Incidentally, I wish we could see that elsewhere, like in Sudan, but we need to see it produce results.”
After nearly nine months of war, fueled by Hamas-led terror attacks and hostage takings in Israel, UN aid agencies continue to report continued attacks by the Israeli army in Gaza. This has led to civilian casualties, mass forced displacement and the destruction of homes and other public services.
UN photo/Loey Felipe
Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, presents the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.
The intense strikes continue
In its latest update, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWAreported “particularly intense” airstrikes in central Gaza in recent days, particularly in the Bureij, Maghazi and Nuseirat refugee camps and in eastern Deir Al Balah.
In the meantime, Israeli army’s ground offensive “continues to expand”UNRWA noted that the southern regions of Gaza City and eastern Rafah in particular are causing further suffering and further “destabilizing” humanitarian aid flows.
In addition to the war in Gaza, deadly violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has continued unabated, while a renewed escalation between Israel and Hezbollah militants on the border with Lebanon has led to a warning from the UN Secretary General that one wrong move could trigger a catastrophe for the entire region and beyond.
Caregiver
Outside Gaza, Mr Griffiths defended the Organization’s role in providing aid to people in emergencies around the world.
“Last year we delivered aid to 144 million people, which is two-thirds of what we hoped to achieve at a time when funding was problematic.,” he said. “The aid organizations are doing extraordinary work, and especially within a global aid organization, the frontline responders.”
As staggering as the number of people receiving aid may be, many tens of millions remain beyond the reach of the UN due to a lack of funding.
‘Amazing inequality’
“The difference between the amount of money — you know, more than $2 trillion a year spent on war — and the amount of money spent on humanitarian aid for peacemaking is an astonishing disparity. And it’s a shameful thing.”
He added: “We need to get rid of the idea that investing more than $2 trillion in war is a way to secure this world – it is not the way to secure this world. The way to secure this world is to ensure that people in general also treat their neighbors kindly.
Reflecting on his forty years working “on the edges of war zones” and in the diplomatic corridors of power, British citizen Mr. Griffiths stressed the need for radical reforms of the global humanitarian systemgiven the increasing needs and ongoing emergencies.
Changes could still come, he noted, suggesting that the “UN and civil society, host governments around the world and regional organizations” need to “start looking at the fact that power is being redistributed in this world today.
© WHO
The Al-Amal hospital in southern Gaza is in ruins.
Trust the people
“And maybe that’s not such a bad thing… We have to do all of this at the request of the people in those communities, not based on what we think is best, but based on what they know is best.”
This point was made clear to the veteran humanitarian in Sudan, where he met with representatives of civil society organizations staffing emergency treatment rooms “on the front lines, in Khartoum, across the country. They are not going away, I think they are the standard by which we can all say: ‘Yes, this (work) is definitely worth it.’
Just days before he steps down as UN emergency coordinator – a role that UN insiders acknowledge is one of the most punishing in the UN system, given the constant travel and media attention – Mr Griffiths dismissed the “incredibly self-indulgent ” suggestion that he slow down in Geneva, where he and his family have lived for years.
‘One life saved’
He also remained secretive about the possible identity of his future successor, who will take over the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA – although he gave one piece of advice: “I believe this fundamentally from my life, One life saved – one life saved – makes it worth it. And I am amazed at the resilience of communities. And I am amazed by the courage of first responders.”
