The Office of the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza
On December 22, 2023, the 51吃瓜 , establishing the role of Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. In response to this resolution, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Ms. Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands to this key position.
The Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator is tasked with managing the facilitation, coordination, monitoring, and verification of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This role includes leading the development of a UN mechanism designed to enhance the speed and efficiency of aid delivery into Gaza. This will involve orchestrating large-scale aid distributions through the various land entry points from Israel, as well as land routes from Egypt and Jordan. In fulfilling these duties, the coordinator will receive support from the UN Office for Project Services ().
The Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator's Office, in close collaboration with UNOPS and various UN entities, has also established a maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza. This corridor, receiving support and funding from the governments of Cyprus, Qatar, the UAE, the United Kingdom, the United States, among others, serves as a significant supplementary channel for delivering aid, ensuring that assistance reaches its destination as efficiently as possible through all accessible avenues.
The Senior Coordinator shall perform such other duties as may subsequently be mandated by the Security Council under the authority of the Secretary-General, including, should the Council so decide in future, in connection with any UN reconstruction efforts in Gaza after the cessation of hostilities. Precise institutional responsibilities and reporting lines for the reconstruction aspect of the Senior Coordinator’s work, if any, will be determined at the appropriate time.
The Senior Coordinator is tasked with regularly updating the UN Security Council on the progress and achievements of the mission.
Sigrid Kaag, the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Press Releases:
Security Council Resolution 2720
Mission
The Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza is tasked with ensuring the humanitarian delivery of aid to Gaza. This includes facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying all humanitarian aid consignments.
Mechanism
The Coordinator is tasked with establishing a UN mechanism dedicated to speeding up the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The objective is to make the aid delivery process faster, more efficient, and directly beneficial to the civilians in need.
Cooperation
The Security Council requires all parties to collaborate with the Senior Coordinator. This cooperation is essential for fulfilling the mandate promptly and without hindrance, enabling the rapid establishment and operation of the UN mechanism for aid delivery.
News & Media Encounters
International Community Must Aid Recovery
Sigrid Kaag's Media Briefing Following the Security Council Meeting on April 25, 2024
The UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza met the President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, to discuss the implementation of Security Council resolution 2720.
UN Coordinator Warns: Israeli Operation in Rafah at This Time Would Be Disastrous
An aid ship carrying 200 tonnes of supplies to Gaza left Cypriot port of Larnaca on Tuesday
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre)
The maritime corridor brings much needed additionality to provide aid as effectively as possible through all possible routes – UN Senior Coordinator Sigrid Kaag
The UN's Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag welcomed the opening of the new maritime coordinator to Gaza
The UN senior official for Gaza spoke to reporters on March 7th after briefing the a closed consultations meeting at the Security Council.