In response to reports that the Trump administration will fund the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Oxfam America President and CEO Abby Maxman said,
“The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is the most urgent it has been in the past two years, as the government of Israel continues to block food, water, medical equipment and other essentials as part of its devastating siege. Against this backdrop of desperation, scarcity, and insecurity, the Trump administration is reportedly poised to give an initial $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an organization formed to distribute food parcels without any grounding in the reality of the crisis in Gaza.
“The GHF shares the number of meals it has delivered – enough for a fraction of the population. More importantly, it refuses to acknowledge that it is distributing food that families cannot cook without the fuel and clean water needed to safely prepare it; that it pushes aid further out of reach for the sick, injured, elderly, women and children who often aren't able to walk the long distances to its distribution hubs; that it has done nothing to address the urgent needs of shelter, medical, water, or other needs of the population; or that hundreds have been shot, killed and injured in the chaotic scenes that play out as many families feel forced to seek aid from the GHF without any alternative for survival. Like President Biden’s failed floating pier, the GHF is a multimillion-dollar distraction from the actual causes – and solutions - of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis that also carries fatal risks for its intended beneficiaries.
“The humanitarian community knows what works – we have decades of experience operating in Gaza and in other complex crises around the world – and have learned the hard lessons of how to make sure that the right aid is delivered safely to the people who need it most. Right now, the Israeli authorities are not allowing us to use our expertise, our supplies that stand ready, or trust we’ve built with communities, and instead they are relying on the GHF to provide aid to nearly 2 million Palestinians - a feat even the Foundation does not claim it can manage.
“In the humanitarian community, we welcome innovation and working with new partners to find life-saving solutions that are safe, dignified, and effective. But we have not been able to support these projects under the current circumstances because we know they will add – not reduce – harm for the communities we work with. Neither should the US government.
“We urge the Trump administration and Congress to instead put its full support behind funding and ensuring safe access for established humanitarian organizations to do the work that is proven to save lives. They must push for an end of Israel’s siege, to open all crossings and allow aid in, an immediate and permanent ceasefire, a return of hostages and illegally detained prisoners – and take steps to bring more stability and safety for all Palestinians, Israelis and all in the region.”