The World Health Organization has delivered its first shipment of emergency humanitarian nutrition supplies to Gaza through its Humanitarian Bridge Initiative in Cyprus. The operation, coordinated between WHO offices in Cyprus and the occupied Palestinian territories, was carried out with the support of the Government of Cyprus, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence. Around 106 metric tonnes of life-saving supplies were mobilised from the Port of Limassol under the Amalthea Plan.
The shipment has arrived at Ashdod Port in Israel and is being prepared for onward delivery to Gaza as part of WHO’s emergency response operations. The delivery marks a key operational milestone in strengthening WHO’s humanitarian logistics capacity in a region affected by ongoing conflict.
Strategic role of Cyprus
The Humanitarian Bridge Initiative is designed to enable the timely and efficient delivery of essential medical and health supplies by sea to Gaza. It operates within the framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2720 and is based on coordination between WHO offices in Cyprus and the occupied Palestinian territories. The initiative also reinforces Cyprus’s role as a strategic logistics hub, given its geographic proximity to Gaza, approximately 370 kilometres, and its position within the European Union.
Coordination under Amalthea Plan
The initiative is implemented under the leadership of the Government of Cyprus within the framework of the Amalthea Plan. Coordination is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of the Ministry of Defence and the UN 2720 mechanism team, implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services in Cyprus. Together, these actors support a coordinated maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The operational model relies on third-party logistics and warehousing facilities in Cyprus, including both bonded and non-bonded storage, as well as cold-chain capabilities where required. By complementing existing humanitarian corridors and diversifying supply routes, the initiative is expected to reduce delivery times and ease logistical bottlenecks that have previously limited access.
The Humanitarian Bridge Initiative is expected to continue supporting the prepositioning and rapid deployment of essential health supplies. Beyond Gaza, it is also intended to strengthen WHO’s readiness to respond to health emergencies across the Eastern Mediterranean region. The initiative aligns with WHO’s broader commitment to delivering timely and equitable humanitarian assistance.
Source: WHO