Mercy Corps Calls for Scaled, Safe, and Dignified Humanitarian Access in Gaza

As limited aid distribution in Gaza fuels chaos and the breakdown of civil order, Mercy Corps urgently reiterates its call for a principled humanitarian response that protects civilian lives, safeguards aid workers, and ensures unfettered access to those in need.  

Statement by Kate Phillips-Barrasso, Mercy Corps Vice-President for Global Policy and Advocacy: 

“The recent scenes of chaos at aid distribution points — where thousands of desperate civilians overwhelmed facilities in search of food — are a powerful and distressing reminder of the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  

 “A trickle of aid into a place where two million people are starving is not a solution; it’s a spark in a powder keg. When desperation meets scarcity, law and order break down. People risking their lives for food is a direct consequence of prolonged deprivation and the absence of a coordinated, inclusive humanitarian response.

 “While the entry and distribution of some aid may be perceived as progress, the reality on the ground is far more bleak. The current volume of supplies is nowhere near the scale required. Food, medicine, and medical equipment must be fast-tracked, at no less than 600 trucks a day, alongside essentials like cooking gas, fuel, clean water, and hygiene items. These are not luxuries — they are the bare minimum for civilians to live in dignity.  

 “The continuation of the existing aid delivery mechanism is essential to meet urgent and worsening humanitarian needs. It was designed to operate in line with international norms and ensure impartial and effective distribution of aid. Yet the conditions for humanitarians to deliver— including access and security guarantees to deliver aid safely inside Gaza — are still absent. These must be immediately granted to avoid chaos and widespread loss of life.”