The World Health Organization has successfully facilitated its first shipment of emergency humanitarian nutrition supplies to Gaza through its Humanitarian Bridge Initiative in Cyprus, marking a significant step in strengthening aid delivery to conflict-affected populations.

The operation, carried out in close coordination between WHO offices in Cyprus and the occupied Palestinian territories, was supported by the Government of Cyprus, particularly its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense. Around 106 metric tons of life-saving nutrition supplies were dispatched from the Port of Limassol under the Amalthea Plan.

The shipment has now arrived safely at Ashdod Port in Israel and is being prepared for onward distribution to Gaza Strip as part of WHO’s emergency response efforts.

Officials described the delivery as a major operational milestone, enhancing WHO’s interregional humanitarian logistics capacity amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Humanitarian Bridge Initiative was established to ensure timely, scalable, and efficient delivery of essential medical and nutritional supplies by sea, operating under the framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2720.

The initiative also highlights Cyprus’s growing role as a strategic humanitarian hub. Located approximately 370 kilometers from Gaza, the island nation offers a critical logistical advantage, enabling rapid mobilization and dispatch of supplies within the European Union framework.

Led by the Government of Cyprus under the Amalthea Plan, the initiative involves coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of the Ministry of Defense, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Together, these partners have established a neutral and transparent maritime corridor for humanitarian assistance.

The operational model includes the use of dual-zone logistics and warehousing facilities in Cyprus, with both bonded and non-bonded storage options, including cold-chain capabilities for sensitive medical supplies. This system is designed to complement existing humanitarian routes into Gaza while reducing delays and logistical bottlenecks that have previously hindered aid delivery.

Looking ahead, WHO officials said the Humanitarian Bridge Initiative will continue to support the prepositioning and rapid deployment of essential health supplies. Beyond Gaza, the mechanism is expected to enhance preparedness and response for health emergencies across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The development underscores WHO’s commitment to delivering timely and equitable humanitarian assistance, aligned with its broader goal of ensuring that no vulnerable population is left behind.