Getting aid to the nearly 2 million people who have been displaced due to the ongoing war in Gaza has been a logistical challenge, as well as a deadly one.
It's estimated more than 200 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.
"Right now, Gaza is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be an aid worker... There have been more aid workers killed than by any other army, militia, terrorist, than any other war in the world," said JP Fisher, director of disaster response at the nonprofit Heart to Heart International.
Based in Lenexa, Heart to Heart is shipping pallets of hygiene supplies to Gazans. All imported aid must comply with strict packaging guidelines. Without a functional seaport or airport in Gaza, aid must travel by convoy through a series of checkpoints — slowing the relief process.
"You've got three different governments, so to speak, that you have to clear customs on," said Dan Neal, vice president of operations at the nonprofit. "It's dramatically slower than many other situations that we find around the world."
- Dan Neal, vice president of operations, Heart to Heart International
- JP Fisher, director of disaster response, Heart to Heart International
