US consulting firm withdraws from Gaza humanitarian aid effort
In its first week, the U.S.-Israeli-backed effort aimed at delivering aid in Gaza has run into obstacles. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a U.S.-based management consulting firm hired to help develop the humanitarian aid project in Gaza, has withdrawn, a spokesperson for the company told The Washington Post.
The BCG spokesperson stated that the firm has terminated its contract with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and placed a senior partner involved in the project on leave while conducting an internal review. The announcement comes amid accusations that the Israeli military has fired into crowds of civilians who were trying to collect aid packages in Gaza, the Post reported. The IDF has denied these reports and released videos of Hamas fighters shooting at civilians.
Impact of BCG withdrawal on humanitarian infrastructure
BCG played a foundational role in setting up the GHF and the aid delivery system in Gaza. Now that they’ve pulled out, the structure and management that depended on the organization’s work could be in question.
Three people familiar with both GHF and BCG spoke anonymously to the Post explaining that GHF could have a hard time continuing its work now that BCG has withdrawn. It handled logistics like setting prices for hiring and supplying contractors responsible for building four aid distribution hubs in southern Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid.
Disputed claims about consulting fees
A BCG spokesperson claimed that the company was working pro bono, but the Post cited another source familiar with the project who disputes that. The individual said BCG submitted invoices totaling over $1 million per month.
Despite challenges and controversy, GHF said that it delivered approximately 6 million meals in the first week, maintaining that its aid operation remains functional and is helping people.
Israel shifts strategy on aid flow to Gaza
For nearly three months, Israel blocked humanitarian aid from flowing into Gaza. During the week of May 25, Israel announced the launch of the new aid distribution mechanism. The goal of this system is to prevent humanitarian supplies from falling into the hands of Hamas.
Israel has allowed some U.N. aid convoys into the enclave in the last week, the Post reported.
WFP highlights desperation, security risks
However, the World Food Programme (WFP) reports incidents of food trucks being looted by people desperate to eat.
“Hunger, desperation and anxiety over whether more food aid is coming is contributing to rising insecurity. We need support from the Israeli authorities to get far greater volumes of food assistance into Gaza faster, more consistently and transported along safer routes, as was done during the ceasefire,” the WFP said in a May 22 news release.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
