Gaza: The head of a contentious US-backed aid programme in Gaza, known as the “Gaza Aid Pilot Project,” resigned just hours before the project’s scheduled launch, raising fresh concerns about the initiative’s transparency and effectiveness, reported the BBC.
David Harden, a former US Agency for International Development (USAID) official and current head of the pilot project, announced his resignation late on Monday. He cited “deep moral concerns” and a lack of clarity surrounding the project’s implementation. Harden stated that despite his efforts to make the programme accountable and effective, fundamental flaws remained unaddressed.
The aid programme, designed to distribute humanitarian assistance in northern Gaza via a newly established pier funded by the US military, has already faced multiple setbacks. Questions have been raised about the delivery process, the involvement of private contractors, and the actual reach of aid to those in need.
Critics argue that the project lacks coordination with established humanitarian organisations and operates in a vacuum, potentially worsening the situation on the ground. Many believe it serves more as a public relations move than a viable aid mechanism, especially as Gaza reels from ongoing conflict and humanitarian catastrophe.
The resignation of Harden, a figure with extensive experience in international aid, has only intensified doubts about the pilot project’s credibility. Human rights groups and Palestinian civil society organisations have voiced concerns that the aid effort may bypass trusted local and international channels, undermining long-term relief operations.
The Biden administration had promoted the initiative as a swift response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, the early exit of its key leader points to deep-rooted issues in its execution and objectives.
