Geneva - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday (17/1) targeted sending 500-600 aid trucks into Gaza every day after the ceasefire came into effect.
“The main process starts on Sunday, and the UN with us (WHO) is very much planning to prioritize as many as possible,” Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the West Bank and Gaza, said in response to Anadolu Agency’s questions.
"The target is to get between 500 to 600 trucks per day in the next few weeks... that would be a big increase from the 40-50 trucks we have seen over the last month," Peeperkorn added.
Calling the increase “huge,” Peeperkorn stressed that WHO would do its utmost to get priority items “as quickly as possible.”
He voiced hope that delivery routes would be expanded so that aid could reach the northern and southern Gaza areas by opening previously closed border points.
Peeperkorn also expressed concern over the security situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, saying the issue must be addressed urgently.
"It is essential that the significant security and political barriers to aid delivery across Gaza are removed. We need rapid, unhindered and safe access and accelerated flow of aid into and across Gaza," he said.
The top priorities are food, water, medical supplies, fuel and spare parts to repair generators in hospitals, he added.
“There are so many needs that can never be fully addressed, but are being prioritized right now... and hopefully will be,” he said.
However, he also added that aid agencies should be careful about raising excessive expectations.
Responding to a follow-up question about whether there had been any changes in aid flows and WHO missions since the announcement of the ceasefire deal, he said the situation was “still the same.”
“Right now, aid coming into Gaza is still slow,” he said, urging that this would “definitely” change in the coming weeks.
On Wednesday (15/1), Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced the success of mediators in reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, with implementation scheduled to begin Sunday (19/1).
Peeperkorn also highlighted the severe damage to the health system in Gaza, urging collaborative efforts to meet existing needs.