Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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April 1, 2026 Humanitarian aid
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe delivered the first batch of emergency humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the Humanitarian Bridge initiative in Cyprus. Approximately 106 tons of food for the treatment of malnutrition were shipped from the port of Limassol under the Amalthea plan.
The cargo arrived safely at the Israeli port of Ashdod, from where it will be distributed throughout Gaza to support WHO emergency operations.
A new stage in humanitarian logistics
This delivery marked a major milestone in strengthening WHO's interregional logistics capacity.
The Humanitarian Bridge Initiative was established as a joint mechanism between the WHO offices in Cyprus and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Its goal is to ensure the timely, scalable, and efficient delivery of vital medical and humanitarian supplies by sea to Gaza within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2720.
The mechanism also strengthens Cyprus's role as a strategic logistics hub: the island is located approximately 370 kilometers from Gaza and is within the European Union's single market, allowing for the rapid mobilization and routing of critical supplies.
International coordination
The initiative is being implemented under the auspices of the Cypriot government as part of the Amalthea plan. Coordination is being carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of the Ministry of Defence, as well as the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) 2720 mechanism team.
Together, these structures ensure a neutral, transparent and internationally coordinated maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The operating model involves the use of warehouse and logistics infrastructure in Cyprus, including both customs-controlled and non-customs-controlled storage, as well as the ability to create the necessary temperature conditions for transportation.
Faster and more efficient
By complementing existing humanitarian corridors and diversifying supply routes, the initiative significantly reduces delivery times and eases operational constraints that previously hampered aid access.
Going forward, the Humanitarian Bridge will pre-position, consolidate, and rapidly dispatch supplies. This will strengthen WHO's emergency preparedness not only in Gaza but throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.
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