As the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement takes effect, the Egyptian Red Crescent is working diligently to deliver vital aid and supplies to the Gaza Strip, providing much-needed relief to the region.
The ceasefire deal in Gaza came into effect on Jan 19, after more than 15 months of deadly strikes.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Amal Emam, CEO of the Egyptian Red Crescent, outlined the organization's aid plan to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including providing emergency food, shelter, and medical assistance to those affected.
She highlighted that every item is crucial, but particularly essential are basic necessities such as food, water, fuel, and winter supplies to support the displaced Palestinian population.
"It will be hard to say that there is a specific need now in Gaza, everything is needed. People have suffered and everything has been destroyed. However, we need to prioritize sometimes what to have first. The priority now is for food, also for water, for fuel, for winter items, and for the winterization items, here we are referring also to the shelter, to the blankets, covers and everything that's needed, because people now, they don't have their homes and they are just in unorganized shelters," Emam said.
Emam noted that the Egyptian Red Crescent has been preparing for the long-term to ensure a swift and effective response, regardless of the ceasefire's outcome.
"All the humanitarians, they are referring to the Gaza war as the biggest humanitarian crisis in the last 30 years. Our plan is again to start this coordination and cooperation with different stakeholders who are working on the reconstruction," she said.
Egyptian Red Crescent steps up aid deliveries in Gaza as ceasefire agreement takes effect
More than three weeks after U.S. strikes on military sites in Venezuela, many Caracas residents said the psychological scars remain deep, even as people push forward with everyday routines.
The strikes on January 3 focused on military targets in Caracas, including Fort Tiuna, a major military installation in southwestern Caracas, which includes command centers, and civilian neighborhoods built by the government for low-income families.
The strikes left parts of the complex in ruins, with civilians living nearby experiencing intense fear and disruption.
Yesenia Acevedo, who runs a small convenience store in the residential area of Fort Tiuna, described how business has declined after the attack. Her shop, which had enjoyed steady customers for three years, was forced to close for a week due to safety concerns.
"After the bombing, this area was designated as a war zone. Everyone was forced to evacuate. After the airstrikes on January 3, the number of customers dropped sharply. Some of them were regulars. I think they're afraid and won't come back. If they personally experienced the bombing that day, it must have been a nightmare," said Acevedo.
Emma Chavez, owner of a bakery in the neighborhood, was out of the city when the strikes occurred. Family and employees called to alert her to the chaos.
"When I returned, I felt the vibe here was very strange, full of uncertainty. Everyone was talking about it [the bombing]. Many people came back because they had nowhere else to go, they had to return. Their hearts are filled with fear, even now. But everyone has to look forward and continue with normal life," said Chavez.
Both Acevedo and Chavez condemned the U.S. strikes as illegal and inhumane, while emphasizing the resilience of Venezuelans in the face of adversity.
"It's not so much about believing we can get through the hard times; it's that we have to keep living normally. We have no other choice. Venezuelans are very resilient, we can endure any adversity. Of course, we're afraid, because we don't know what the future holds. Everyone knows the United States is a warlike country, and war is a business for the U.S. But we Latin Americans love peace. For us, war is something from games or movies. I think it's inhumane, I can't imagine anyone thinking it's justified," said Chavez.
"I think all of America's actions toward Venezuela are illegal. The raid has become a turning point in our lives. It's hard to say our lives can return to normal right away, because the psychological trauma is still there. But Venezuelans are tough and unyielding; we always keep moving forward," said Acevedo.
Caracas residents struggle to rebuild life amid lingering trauma from US strikes
