New York [US], June 27: UN aid teams and partner organisations remain deeply committed to delivering lifesaving supplies to Gazans in need, despite the increasing dangers of working there, the Organisation's top aid official said on Wednesday.
Responding to media reports on Tuesday that the UN had warned the aid effort may have to stop unless the security situation and coordination with the Israeli military improved, Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths denied that any "ultimatum" had been given.
"We continue, as we have done for these many, many months to negotiate with the Israeli authorities and others with a lot of help, by the way, from the US, as you know, to get the right conditions to allow it to be delivered safely and securely," he told UN News in an exclusive interview, just days before he is due to step down from his post.
"We're not running away from Gaza, at all, but what is true now - and I think that's the basis for this story - is of course that we are particularly concerned about the security situation in Gaza, and it is becoming more and more difficult to operate."
"Aid can make a difference, that's why we need to get all these crossings open," Griffiths said.
"That's why we need safety and security, that's why we need the pier to restart and get that aid off the beach if that can be done too. We need all hands on deck for this. We'll keep on at it. But we fail them daily every time we're not able to get aid through to the people who need it."
Source: Emirates News Agency