Colombian President Gustavo Petro visited the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) on Saturday, commending Egypt's humanitarian efforts for Palestinians in Gaza and highlighting the importance of international aid coordination. During the visit, Petro met with Egyptian Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy and ERC Executive Director Amal Emam. The Colombian delegation included Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy and Ambassador Luz Elena Martínez Kasab. "Colombia recognises the crisis facing the Palestinian people and values the Egyptian Red Crescent's role in providing sustained humanitarian assistance," Petro said, calling for an end to violence in Gaza and urging media coverage of reconstruction efforts. Morsy said the ERC has coordinated aid to Gaza for more than 750 days, delivering over 650,000 tons of food, medical supplies, and fuel. She described the ERC as a central pillar of Egypt's humanitarian response and praised Colombia's contributions to peacebuilding and social justice initiatives. ERC's Emam detailed the logistics system used to deliver aid safely into Gaza, including operations rooms in Arish and Cairo and coordination with international partners. She added that the ERC has coordinated 941 humanitarian flights and 614 aid shipments, working closely with 59 countries, including Colombia, as well as UN agencies to ensure a unified international response. She added that the ERC facilitated the entry of 214 ambulances, delivered more than 89,000 tons of fuel, and coordinated the deployment of four field hospitals into Gaza. In partnership with Egypt's ministries of health and social solidarity, the ERC has provided comprehensive aid to patients, the injured, and their accompanying family members. This includes over 85,000 family reunification services, cash assistance for more than 2,000 families, 137 relief operations, and more than 244,000 medical services. Emam also highlighted Zad Al-Izza: From Egypt to Gaza convoys, noting that since 27 July, 62 convoys have delivered over 112,000 tons of aid, including food, flour, fresh bread, baby milk, tents, medical supplies, and fuel. President Petro toured the ERC's packing centre, where he participated in assembling food baskets for Gaza, and visited the central operations room, praising the volunteers' efforts. The ECR has presented the Colombian president with its "Humanitarian Shield" in recognition of his support for Palestinian relief efforts. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
