The International Migration Organisation (IOM) Mission in Egypt, in cooperation with the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), has organised an initiative to provide 20 tonnes of aid to the Gaza Strip.
The initiative will provide donations of medical tools, in addition to donations in kind and food, to support the emergency response to the crisis of migrants and displaced groups in the region.
The launch came in the presence of: Nevine El-Kabbaj, Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity; Laurent de Burke, representative of the IOM in Egypt; and Ramy El Nazer, Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent.
De Burke said, “I cannot hide our pride and honour to be connected to Egypt’s response to assist the people of the Gaza Strip who were displaced to Egypt due to the recent crisis in the region.”
“It is our duty to support displaced people around the world, and today our partnership with the Egyptian Red Crescent represents the humanitarian commitment of the International Organisation for Migration to support Egypt’s tireless participation in providing humanitarian support to the Palestinians, in addition to Egypt’s position for peace and reconstruction,” he added.
De Burke noted that the initiative is certain that it will be able to provide more than 20 tonnes of medical items, equipment and medicines, as well as several thousand hygiene kits, COVID-19 preventive items, and food and non-food items.
These will be used efficiently to increase people’s resilience, and increase Egypt’s capacity to provide assistance “suitable for those in need, and leaving no one behind”.
For her part, El-Kabbaj welcomed all international organisations interested in humanitarian work, as well as volunteers, stressing that the Egyptian state always stands to support everything related to Palestine.
She also stressed President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s constant support for fellow Arab countries, adding that Egypt is always supportive of all that humanity requires.
“The Egyptian Government, international organisations, civil society, and religious institutions supported Palestine with various food and medical supplies,” she added.
El-Kabbaj noted that Egypt not only opened the Rafa border crossing, but also provided the main needs and the burden was reduced on the displaced, pointing to what the Egyptian Red Crescent Society provides.”
