231128-F-VJ532-1290

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III carries 24.5 metric tons, more than 54,000 pounds, of humanitarian supplies to provide vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance to the people of Gaza from undisclosed locations throughout the Middle East. In a coordinated effort between the U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Air Force began transporting life-saving supplies to help thousands of people amid the humanitarian pause to provide critical assistance to Palestinian civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)

231128-F-VJ532-1201

U.S. Air Force aerial port specialists load 24.5 metric tons of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza aboard a C-17 Globemaster III at an undisclosed airfield in the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023. The U.S. Air Force's rapid global mobility capability enables the expedited movement of critical, life-saving supplies throughout the Middle East. The U.S. Agency for International Development regularly coordinates with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide options to effectively transport millions of dollars of humanitarian aid where it is needed most. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)

231128-F-VJ532-1020

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeanne Caron, 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, ushers in 24.7 metric tons of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza aboard a C-17 Globemaster III at an undisclosed airfield in the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023. The U.S. Air Force's rapid global mobility capability enables the expedited movement of critical, life-saving supplies throughout the Middle East. The U.S. Agency for International Development regularly coordinates with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide options to effectively transport millions of dollars of humanitarian aid where it is needed most. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)

231128-F-VJ532-1337

U.S. Air Force Airmen and U.S. Agency for International Development personnel offload 54,000 pounds of humanitarian aid from a C-17 Globemaster III at an undisclosed airfield in the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023. The humanitarian aid, destined for Gaza, will provide vital medical supplies, clothing, and food to the Palestinian civilians affected by the ongoing crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)

231128-F-VJ532-1156

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeanne Caron, 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, coordinates a humanitarian aid movement aboard the C-17 Globemaster III with U.S. Agency for International Development throughout the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023. U.S. government partners will distribute these supplies to meet staggering needs in Gaza. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)

231128-F-VJ532-1145

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Caroline Sussman, 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, inspects humanitarian aid loaded aboard a C-17 Globemaster III, Nov. 28, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development utilizes U.S. Air Force airlift capabilities to transport humanitarian aid throughout the Middle East, November 28, 2023. U.S. government partners will distribute these supplies to meet staggering needs in Gaza. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)

231128-F-VJ532-1085

U.S. Air Force Airmen and U.S. Agency for International Development personnel offload more than 54,000 pounds of humanitarian aid from a C-17 Globemaster III at an undisclosed airfield in the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023. The humanitarian aid, destined for Gaza, provides vital medical supplies, clothing, and food to the Palestinian civilians affected by the ongoing crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)

231128-F-VJ532-1362

The U.S. Agency for International Development utilizes U.S. Air Force airlift capabilities to transport humanitarian aid throughout the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023. U.S. government partners will distribute these supplies to meet staggering needs in Gaza. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)

U.S. airlifts critical humanitarian supplies to Egypt to support aid delivery in Gaza

Published Nov. 28, 2023
By Office of Press Relations
USAID

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION --

Today, the U.S. airlifted 24.5 metric tons, more than 54,000 pounds, of UN humanitarian supplies to provide vitally needed medical supplies and food and nutrition assistance to the people of Gaza. A U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft delivered the items to Egypt, where they will be transported via ground into Gaza and then distributed by UN agencies. The U.S. is planning additional flights in the coming days. This is in addition to the more than 500,000 pounds of food assistance delivered by the U.S. last week alone.

Today’s flight includes medical supplies to support the health system in Gaza and ready-to-use foods for the displaced populations, both adults and children. With 1.7 million people internally displaced and 2.2 million in need of humanitarian assistance, increased humanitarian supplies are essential to saving lives and alleviating suffering for the most vulnerable.

At the request of USAID, the Department of Defense U.S. Central Command, began transporting these life-saving supplies to help thousands of people amid a humanitarian pause in hostilities to further a surge of life-saving assistance to Palestinian civilians. The U.S. will continue to lead the humanitarian response in Gaza to further support those in desperate need.

The U.S. has mobilized $100 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians affected by the conflict. The U.S. is also by far the largest donor to the UN’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza, including the largest contributor to UNRWA, the primary implementer on the ground in Gaza. We are grateful for the additional contributions from a number of donor partners who have already pledged significant funding, and we continue to advocate for others to do the same.

The UN’s global appeal in response to the crisis remains woefully underfunded, with only 21 percent funded, and we call on the international community to urgently step up their support and deliver on commitments pledged.