By Manal Abdel Fattah
The German government’s special envoy for humanitarian aid in the Near and Middle East, Deike Potzel, said on her fifth visit to Egypt that Germany is committed to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, and thanked Egypt for its efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
During her presence in Cairo, Potzel added: I would like to thank Egypt for the vital role it plays and the tremendous efforts it is making to help the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.
She continued: “We agreed that the situation is very difficult inside the Gaza Strip, that the suffering is unimaginable, and that more aid is needed to reach Gaza. We urgently need that.”
Potzel added: Germany has provided about 220 million euros in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories in 2023, making us once again the second largest donor, while German planes brought incubators and respirators to Egypt to support the treatment of Palestinian patients here.
She indicated that Germany sent 10,000 family tents, as well as sleeping mattresses, blankets, and camp beds, in addition to 45,000 water filters.
The Special Envoy announced that more aid will be sent to Egypt in the next few days, as well as more aid provided by Germany via the European Union air bridge.
The German government’s special envoy said that while the German government sees the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Germany has increased its humanitarian aid, most recently on January 9, when it provided additional support of 8 million euros.
She added that with this support, the total aid provided to the Palestinian territories by the German government has risen to 211 million euros, including 138 million euros in additional funding since October 7, and Germany has become the largest contributor to UNRWA during the past five years.
She pointed out that the German Foreign Ministry is working with the United Nations and experienced international organizations to deliver the necessary aid to the residents of Gaza. Through the humanitarian aid approved by Germany, organizations can deliver basic foodstuffs, medical care and hygiene products to Gaza.
She stressed that the international community is very aware of what is happening in the Gaza Strip, and many countries have provided humanitarian support, whether from the region or outside it, and we appreciate everyone who contributed to those efforts.
She added that the situation is dangerous and requires greater effort to provide safe corridors for humanitarian aid to enter, as well as safe corridors for it to be delivered to civilians inside the Gaza Strip, which takes a very long time.
