The president of the German Red Cross, Gerda Hasselfeldt, has expressed concerns regarding the practice of airdropping humanitarian aid and advocated for overland transport into the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Hasselfeldt emphasized that substantial quantities of humanitarian supplies are currently stockpiled at the border, ready to be delivered via trucks. She believes this method offers a more direct, efficient and safer route to reach those in need, facilitating a distribution process tailored to specific requirements.
Hasselfeldt stressed the importance of collaboration between conflict parties and impartial humanitarian organizations to ensure a dignified, effective and secure access to aid for the population facing critical needs. She characterized airlifts as a measure of last resort, highlighting the inherent risk of casualties in densely populated areas. Furthermore, she questioned the likelihood of vulnerable individuals, such as the wounded and children, receiving adequate assistance through aerial deliveries.
The Red Cross president stated that the primary objective of all relief efforts should be to ensure a stable and secure access to food, medical care and shelter for the affected population. Alongside essential provisions, she underscored the urgent need for medical equipment, communication devices and vehicles to facilitate comprehensive and lasting improvements in the region.
