4:48Doctors Without Borders USA CEO Avril Benoit appears on “This Week With George Stephanopoulos” on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.ABC News
Avril Benoît, the CEO of Doctors Without Borders USA, highlighted the urgent need for enhanced systems for distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza as aid organizations raise alarms about famine and widespread starvation.
In an interview with ABC News’ “This Week” host George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, Benoît shared insights into the conditions that she and medical teams are observing firsthand.
"People are in a state of desperation. The patients we are encountering are suffering from malnutrition, and we have witnessed women giving birth prematurely," Benoît stated. She noted that the deficiency in food aid has jeopardized the health of newborns since mothers do not have adequate nutrition to breastfeed.
"We are also treating individuals with the severe injuries one would expect in an area subjected to airstrikes and ongoing violence, including trauma injuries, extensive third-degree burns, and children with severe facial injuries, along with many critical orthopedic cases."
She elaborated on how children’s bodies are particularly vulnerable, making them less capable of fighting off infections and illnesses.
"Their bodies lack the strength to combat infections. They are not recuperating effectively, which aggravates the situation in healthcare facilities because, naturally, we want to provide every opportunity for patients to recover from their injuries and be discharged to make space for others," she explained.
Benoît held Israel accountable for the inability of clinics and hospitals in Gaza to perform their functions.
"The healthcare infrastructure has been largely devastated by Israel, along with the clinics and outpatient facilities we work with and other humanitarian organizations striving to meet medical needs in Gaza. We are completely overwhelmed, and the issue of starvation is exacerbating the already catastrophic situation."
Benoît’s segment on ABC News follows a visit by U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to Gaza on Friday, where they assessed existing methods of food aid distribution. Various aid organizations report that some residents in Gaza, particularly children, are resorting to just one meal a day, with some not eating at all.
"My colleagues are managing to eat only every other day and are scavenging for food," Benoît remarked.
She characterized the current distribution model, which is overseen by Israel and supported by the U.S., as significantly flawed and ineffective.
"It is unsafe. It is an ineffective method of delivering aid. People must traverse very perilous areas to access locations controlled by the IDF and U.S. military contractors, and even then, the quantities provided are inadequate."
She further indicated that Israel is complicating the situation for those in Gaza who are in need of assistance.
"The injuries stem not only from individuals being shot as they leave the area with their flour bags, but also from the trampling that occurs as people push and jump over one another in response to gunfire directed at unarmed civilians merely trying to obtain a little food aid," Benoît explained.
Despite the grim circumstances, Benoît remains optimistic as she advocates for increased aid and a swift ceasefire.
"We sincerely hope, for the sake of all civilians in Gaza, including hostages, as well as families and children, that this conflict will come to a close with a genuine, lasting ceasefire," she concluded.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
