Private Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) leader resigns in the United States - Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's U.S.-based leader steps down from their position.
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation CEO Steps Down Amid Controversy
John Acree, Head of Mission at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has announced his departure. Acree was the CEO of the recently established NGO registered in Geneva, which aims to privatize aid delivery in Gaza.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Acree expressed his pride in the work accomplished under his leadership, including a "pragmatic plan that aimed to feed the hungry, alleviate security concerns regarding the diversion of aid, and complement the work of long-standing NGOs in Gaza." However, Acree acknowledged that it was "not possible" to implement this plan while upholding the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, and independence.
The GHF was established in response to increasing international pressure on Israel due to its blockade of aid shipments to the Gaza Strip. The US Department of State announced the establishment of the private foundation in early May. Despite this, the plan has faced criticism internationally, with allegations that it could undermine the UN and other aid organizations.
Established in Geneva, the GHF seeks to revolutionize humanitarian aid by establishing humanitarian hubs in southern Gaza. These hubs would be managed by private companies and military contractors, potentially American, to distribute aid. The approach has been seen as a response to the longstanding blockade and recent restrictions on humanitarian access in Gaza.
The UN and other international aid organizations worry that the GHF could undermine their efforts and lead to a loss of trust in established humanitarian frameworks. Critics argue that the involvement of private security contractors in aid distribution raises concerns about the neutrality and efficiency of aid delivery. Additionally, the foundation's backing by the US and Israel has led to skepticism among international organizations and Palestinian groups regarding the foundation's true intentions and its commitment to purely humanitarian goals.
As of now, the reasons for Acree's departure remain unclear. The GHF previously announced plans to soon begin operations on the ground in Gaza, aiming to restore logistics, security, and access that traditional aid organizations have lost.
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- "Despite my sincere efforts, I'm not going to be able to do this, as the financing and support for our privatized aid delivery model in Gaza's business world might unintentionally intertwine with global politics and even war-and-conflicts, jeopardizing the foundation's general news coverage and our intentions for crime-and-justice focused initiatives within the humanitarian context."
- "The cooperation with private companies and military contractors, which might be American, to manage humanitarian hubs in southern Gaza, while a novel approach to address the blockade, raises questions about the neutrality, efficiency, and independence of our operations, and potentially undermines the trust in established humanitarian frameworks, as well as the work of long-standing NGOs in Gaza."
- "With the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's operations and intentions being scrutinized by international aid organizations, critics, and Palestinian groups, it has become increasingly challenging to separate our foundation from politics, finance, crime-and-justice, and war-and-conflicts, which were not part of our original mandate and mission."
