Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry reported on January 21 that as part of a humanitarian initiative led by several member states of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), including Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Bangladesh, in collaboration with the charity organization of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (JHCO), aimed at providing assistance to the people of Gaza in addressing the acute food shortage, 200 tons of high-quality wheat flour have been dispatched to the region.

The humanitarian convoy is expected to arrive at the Kerem Shalom/Karam Abu Salem border crossing within the next two days.  In coordination with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other United Nations agencies, efforts will be made to ensure the safe transport of the humanitarian aid, which will help provide food assistance to approximately 8,000 families facing food insecurity.

It is worth noting that, at the beginning of 2024, the Islamic Organization for Food Security launched the “Flour for Humanity” program to combat the threat of hunger in the Gaza Strip, issuing an emergency appeal, Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry noted.

Meanwhile, IOFS reported on January 20 that IOFS Director-General, Ambassador Berik Aryn, has attended the dispatchment of the first “Flour for Humanity Program – Gaza Emergency Appeal” convoy from Jordan to Gaza.  The ceremony, held at the JHCO Warehouse in Ghabawi, Zarqa, reportedly took place with the participation of Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Jordan, Mr. Talgat Shaldanbay.  The convoy consists of 12 trucks carrying 200 tons of first-grade wheat flour, addressing the acute food shortages in Gaza, according to IOFS.

Kazakhstan, as the hosting state of IOFS, has reportedly played a key role in supporting this initiative.  Kazakhstan’s leadership and steadfast support for IOFS have been integral in enabling the organization’s humanitarian activities, including the Flour for Humanity Program. This underscores the country’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and humanitarian crises globally. IOFS noted.

The convoy is expected to reach the Kerem Shalom/Karam Abu Salem crossing within two days, where coordination with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other UN agencies will ensure safe distribution to approximately 8,000 households, alleviating critical food shortages in the area, IOFS said on January 20, adding that this shipment marks not only the first direct IOFS initiative but also the first OIC-branded convoy to the territories, along with the generous contributions of Red Crescent societies, NGOs, and bilateral aid agencies of the Muslim countries.