The U.S. military carries out its first aid drop over Gaza City March 2, 2024, amid the ongoing the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. (OSV News photo/Kosay Al Nemer, Reuters) Freiburg (KNA) Caritas Germany has criticised the dropping of aid over the Gaza Strip as a sign of poverty and symbolic politics. “Uncontrolled drops of aid are the worst form of aid. They in no way ensure that the weakened population actually receives the vital support and are therefore an indictment of poverty,” criticised the head of the aid organisation, Oliver Müller, in Freiburg on Monday.
Only an organised distribution on the ground could ensure that particularly vulnerable people such as children, women, the elderly and people with disabilities were actually reached. Airdrops lead to distribution disputes and only promote the right of the strongest, said Müller.
Caritas Germany called for an immediate ceasefire and safe aid corridors. Then it would be easy to reach the people in need safely, Müller explained. He emphasised that Caritas was still able to distribute food, blankets and hygiene products in the Gaza Strip through its partner organisation Catholic Relief Services. “This aid could be increased at any time if the border is opened and security is guaranteed,” said the head of Caritas Germany.
At the weekend, the US military dropped aid supplies over the Gaza Strip for the first time. According to aid organisations, the humanitarian situation of the people is catastrophic.