Blinken visits World Food Programme's warehouses

AMMAN — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the World Food Programme's (WFP) warehouses in Amman on Sunday, for a first-hand look at the humanitarian aid which will be sent to Gaza in cooperation with the Jordan Hashemite Charitable Organisation (JHCO).

This visit falls within  Blinken's tour to the region to discuss efforts to halt the war on Gaza, deliver aid, protect civilians and launch a genuine effort to end the Israeli war on Gaza and achieve a fair peace based on the two-state solution.

During his visit to the warehouse, Blinken said that "Jordan plays a critical role in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and we have worked from day one to facilitate the entry of assistance into Gaza".

WFP Deputy Country Director in Jordan Laurene Goublet highlighted that the programme has dispatched joint aid convoys comprising life-saving food and non-food items from various humanitarian organisations since November. 

She also emphasised the need for sustained dispatch of relief aid through Jordan to ensure efficient and rapid delivery of supplies.

 The humanitarian aid will be sent through two strategic corridors, the Karam Abu Salem crossing via the King Hussein Bridge and Aqaba-Nuweiba towards Rafah, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The WFP has purchased 3,400 tonnes of food from Jordan, of which 2,350 tonnes have been delivered to Gaza, leaving 1,050 tonnes ready for delivery. 

The programme will soon issue tenders to Jordanian suppliers for the purchase of 9,600 tonnes of ready-to-eat food, to be delivered in January and February.