The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as the implementing agency for Japanese official development assistance, announced today, Monday, the provision of the second batch of relief aid, by providing medical supplies, including bandages, gauze, gloves, and medical syringes, to improve humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.

JICA explained, in a press release, that the aid arrived at Al-Arish Airport in Egypt on December 1, 2023, and will then reach the Gaza Strip via the Egyptian Red Crescent, to be distributed inside Gaza via the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

The aid batch was received at Al-Arish Airport by a Japanese delegation from the Japanese government headed by the Minister Plenipotentiary, Deputy Head of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in Egypt Takada Katsunobu, Director General of the Middle East and Europe Department at JICA Matsunaga Hideki, and Director General of the JICA Egypt Office Kato Kane, accompanied by the Egyptian Red Crescent team. Who handles the transportation process?

The Japanese Ambassador to Egypt, Oka Hiroshi, witnessed the signing of the confirmation of receipt from the Egyptian Red Crescent. The delegation also visited the Rafah crossing, and witnessed the flow of trucks and humanitarian supplies into Gaza.

This payment comes in response to the increasing critical health needs in Gaza resulting from the conflicts and clashes that have erupted since October 7, 2023.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the number of victims exceeded 15,500 as of December 3, and about 1.7 million people were displaced to southern Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that two-thirds of hospitals and primary health care clinics have stopped operating due to damage, fuel shortages and insecurity, and that hospitals in northern Gaza are “completely out of service,” with functioning hospitals suffering from a shortage of medical supplies and consumables. Currently, only the logistical route via Egypt is operational.

Since the Egyptian Red Crescent is the only body responsible for transporting humanitarian aid supplies to the Gaza Strip, JICA has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Egyptian Red Crescent to ensure the rapid transport of aid supplies, as it will undertake the transport process to the Gaza Strip, and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society will undertake the distribution process within Gaza. .