Update on the UN 2720 Mechanism – UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza (as of 26 June 2024)

04 July 2024

Briefing by the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, to the UN Security Council, 2 July 2024

Mandate

In accordance with Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023), the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza (SHRC) is responsible for facilitating, coordinating, monitoring and verifying the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The Office is also tasked with establishing a UN mechanism dedicated to accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) supports the Senior Coordinator with the operationalization of the UN Mechanism. The objective is to make the aid delivery process faster, more efficient, and directly beneficial to the civilians in need.

Key Highlights

The SHRC’s good offices and engagement with the parties, key Member States and other stakeholders at the highest political level further to resolution 2720 have inter alia contributed to/resulted in: (1) the direct entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza from the North via the Zikim and Erez crossings, as well as the use of the port of Ashdod; (2) the opening of the Nahal Oz water line and approval for the resumption of the electricity line to the desalination facility in Khan Younis; (3) permission to enter select medical items, for example maternity wards and field hospitals in North Gaza; (4) continued use of Gate 96 to allow entry of humanitarian supplies and fuel; (5) entry of some critical communication and protective equipment which are vital for UN operations in Gaza, and discussions are ongoing to facilitate the entry of more; as well as (6) an increase in the volume of commercial cargo entering Gaza, albeit irregularly. Discussions are ongoing to ensure commercial supplies align with the population’s immediate needs.

Operationalization of the 2720 Mechanism

As of 1 July, in Jordan, all humanitarian aid convoys using the direct route from Amman to Gaza will be fully under the 2720 Mechanism. The 2720 Mechanism Database will capture all aid consignments using the route, lead the process to receive clearance from Israeli authorities, and in coordination with the Jordan Hashemite Charitable Organization (JHCO) and other humanitarian actors, ensure that logistical capacity is in place to facilitate an increase in aid reaching Gaza.

While the UN paused the collection of aid from the JLOTS as of 10 June due to the prevailing security conditions in the vicinity aid has continued to be processed through the Cyprus Maritime Corridor under the auspices of the UN 2720 Mechanism. Some aid processed through the maritime corridor has been diverted to Ashdod port, for onward delivery to Gaza via a land crossing. In Egypt, discussions with relevant authorities and the Egypt Red Crescent continue to make progress. It is anticipated that data sharing between the Egyptian Red Crescent and the 2720 Mechanism will allow for the 2720 Database to capture all aid coming through Egypt to Gaza in the coming weeks. This will allow the 2720 Mechanism to have the full overview of aid reaching Gaza, as well as in the pipeline, to enable greater prioritization, transparency and facilitate the scaling up of aid into Gaza. Decisions on the options provided to streamline operations and maximize access through Rafah crossings remain pending by the relevant parties. The Egypt land corridor, particularly through the Rafah crossing, is vital given the volume it can handle for humanitarian, commercial and the movement of people.

The 2720 Mechanism now has two offices inside Gaza in Deir el Balah and Rafah. Clearance remains pending to deploy UN2720 personnel at the border crossings between Israel and Gaza and inside Gaza where they would perform their mandated role to guarantee that increased aid reaches its civilian destination.

The SHRC is grateful to those Member States who have already committed funding to the Mechanism. As of 24 June, the Mechanism has received a total of USD 15 million from the following donors: The Netherlands (USD 5.4 million), the United Arab Emirates (USD 5 million), Australia (USD 1.3 million), Denmark (USD 2 million), Estonia (USD 30,000), and New Zealand (USD 1.2 million). Additional pledges, totaling USD 7.66 million, are currently being negotiated with Canada (USD 3.66 million), and Minderoo Foundation (USD 4 million).