‘Operating environment complex since Gaza war began’

ROME: Since the Gaza war began, the operating environment has grown increasingly complex, with Israel s concerns about tax revenue allocations contrib...

ROME: Since the Gaza war began, the operating environment has grown increasingly complex, with Israel’s concerns about tax revenue allocations contributing to a sharp decline in commercial imports. Carl Skaun, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Programme, spoke at the Rome 2024 MED Dialogues session, moderated by Michael Köhler, about the multifaceted challenges the organization faces in crisis regions.

He described operating in three distinct contexts: areas with functioning local authorities, regions under direct military operations, and zones of lawlessness and chaos. Each presents unique obstacles, particularly in locations where Israeli forces are active, threatening personnel safety despite coordination efforts. In southern regions like Jerusalem, the lack of authority exacerbates the chaos, further complicating humanitarian work.

The session, titled “Dialogues for Peace under Siege: Humanitarian Assistance in Jeopardy,” delved into the unprecedented obstacles of the past six weeks. Skaun detailed how widespread looting, driven by skyrocketing food prices, has made moving goods from borders to distribution points nearly impossible. Even efforts to create new access routes, such as gates north of Kerem Shalom, have been thwarted by organized gangs targeting high-value items like wheat. He painted a bleak picture as winter approaches, with millions displaced, inadequate shelter, and minimal access to essentials, warning of an imminent health crisis caused by insufficient water, sanitation, and food supplies.

Reflecting on Sudan, Skaun recounted the traumatic evacuation of staff, displacement of over 1,200 team members, and the loss of critical infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the organization has deployed top personnel and innovative solutions like cash-based assistance and local partnerships to address the crisis. He emphasized the crucial role of Sudanese communities in mitigating the worst impacts and called for international systems to better support these local resilience efforts. However, he acknowledged a significant gap between potential and actual assistance, with the WFP striving to close this divide.

Turning to Syria, Skaun described a deepening crisis with limited international support. An additional 400,000 displaced people have stretched fragile communities, while funding appeals remain largely unmet, garnering only a 10% response. Lebanon, too, faces mounting instability, with its delicate social fabric further strained by regional pressures.