NICOSIA: World Central Kitchen (WCK) announced on Thursday that a second ship loaded with food aid for Gaza was being prepared for departure from Cyprus. The charity stated that they were loading 300 tonnes of food supplies, including legumes, canned tuna, vegetables, rice, and flour, at Larnaca port.
The pallets are expected to be screened and loaded by the end of the day, but the exact departure time of the vessel was not disclosed.
Cyprus is facilitating the screening of aid cargos on the island, collaborating with Israel to ensure security checks are conducted at off-loading destinations.
This initiative comes as a response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the first ship, carrying almost 200 tonnes of food aid, already en route to the besieged Palestinian enclave after departing from Cyprus on Tuesday.
WCK, in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates and Spanish charity Proactiva Open Arms, with support from the Cypriot government, is leading this effort. However, specific voyage details are being withheld for security reasons.
Preparations are underway in Gaza to receive the aid, with WCK founder Jose Andres mentioning the construction of a jetty nearly 60 meters long.
It’s important to note that WCK’s initiative is distinct from a larger multinational effort aimed at establishing a maritime aid corridor into Gaza.
In Nicosia, Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos announced plans for a high-level meeting on March 21 to coordinate further aid distribution efforts.
