The next is the transcript of an interview with Cindy McCain, World Meals Programme govt director, that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Aug. 31, 2025.
ED O’KEEFE: We go now to the manager director of the World Meals Programme, Ambassador Cindy McCain, who joins us this morning from Rome. Ambassador, thanks a lot for being with us, and also you’re with us partially since you’re simply again from a visit into Gaza. So few outsiders are getting in today to evaluate the state of affairs. What did you see?
U.N. WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CINDY MCCAIN: Effectively, to begin with, thanks for overlaying this. I did go into Gaza. I entered by means of the Kissufim gate. Went to Deir al Balah, then on to Khan Yunis and out by means of the Kerem Shalom- Kerem Shalom gate. I noticed numerous devastation. I noticed numerous starvation. I noticed individuals ready in lengthy strains for water. You understand- what you’d anticipate to see in a state of affairs like that. And there is- there’s clear desperation on the- on- within the hearts and minds of the individuals there, as a result of there simply is just not sufficient meals. I met with a household that- of 11 those who had come from the north. They’d got- walked all the way in which down. And what I noticed, they’d footage that they introduced with their- with their belongings, and I noticed the type of the earlier than and after footage. And there- I did not even acknowledge these individuals. They’ve the load loss, the malnutrition, the stress and every little thing that- the toll that it is taken on their household. It is- it is actually, actually a devastating state of affairs, and one thing that we have to demand a stop fireplace about proper now and ensure that we will get in there and feed.
ED O’KEEFE: And but, Israel has declared Gaza Metropolis a fight zone and is ending humanitarian pauses and ramping up air strikes across the metropolis. Gaza, after all, is without doubt one of the areas the place a worldwide monitor has confirmed famine. You discuss in regards to the starvation you noticed in and round that area. What’s going to a extra aggressive navy offensive in that space imply for Gaza Metropolis?
MCCAIN: Effectively, it’ll restrict the quantity of meals that they’ve entry to. In fact, the hazard alone is an entire different a part of that, as , and it doesn’t make it straightforward for humanitarian support staff to get in there as effectively to ensure that we will do our job. The one factor that I have been saying all alongside about conditions like Gaza Metropolis and others is that humanitarian support staff are usually not targets. They don’t seem to be targets, and this has to finish. So I am hoping that maybe it will not be as dangerous as we expect it’ll be. However I’ve a feeling- I’ve a sense we’ll see some- some extra critical devastation.
ED O’KEEFE: In actual fact, you convey up the problem of security for humanitarian staff. Final yr, among the many deadliest on file, almost 400 killed within the line of obligation. There was a World Meals Program convoy that got here below fireplace in Gaza final month. I imply, absent a ceasefire, what extra must be executed by opponents to guard humanitarians as they attempt to perform this work?
MCCAIN: Effectively, these persons are determined. You understand the- when it comes to those which are on the bottom, speeding the vehicles, and so on. What we want is full, unfettered entry at scale, to have the ability to get in and feed, and feed in a manner the place the panic subsides. And secondly, after all, we do not do something that entails weapons or navy in any manner, form, or kind. And that is on goal. That is who we’re. That is our mandate. And so, clearly, a ceasefire, as I stated earlier than, having the ability to get in at scale, unfettered and in a protected method, and constantly get in, and get into the furthest websites the place we will not get meals into- into probably the most susceptible those who are- which are in danger proper now.
ED O’KEEFE: As a part of your journey to the area, you additionally met with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. You described it as a productive assembly, and stated you mentioned what you want so as to have the ability to get entry. However, you have additionally stated it was clear there is not sufficient meals stepping into Gaza. And I wish to learn you one thing that the Prime Minister’s Workplace posted on social media. They stated, partially, it is regrettable that Mrs. McCain has since issued statements contradicting what she instructed us in Jerusalem. That may be a misrepresentation. Israel is enabling a gentle movement of support in enough portions. What’s your response to the Prime Minister?
MCCAIN: Effectively, I stand by what I stated. There’s not sufficient meals getting in. And and not using a full ceasefire and the power to get in, as I stated, at scale, unfettered, ensuring that we’re protected, doing it as effectively. That is the one manner we’re going to have the ability to feed individuals. We now have, in latest weeks, been capable of get somewhat extra meals in. In order that’s an correct assertion. But it surely’s not sufficient. It merely is not sufficient to have the ability to do the job and cease malnutrition, hunger, and all of the issues which have occurred on account of it. Let me- let me add one factor to that, malnutrition and hunger and famine of any sort, it is not nearly meals. It is about water. It is about medication. It is in regards to the skill to deal with the complete physique of an individual who’s undernourished or malnourished in that manner. So it entails extra than simply the meals vehicles, though that is crucial, however it additionally entails things- particular feeding for kids, in addition to medication and water that must all get in.
ED O’KEEFE: So let me shift you to a different a part of the world, as a result of it’s the World Meals Program, in any case, and Sudan is the opposite a part of the world that’s within the midst of famine. Earlier this month, one in every of your convoys was attacked whereas delivering it in that nation as effectively. What challenges are you going through there, attempting to get meals to the individuals who want it in Sudan?
MCCAIN: Effectively, the incident that you just simply described, after all, the attacking the convoys. We’re, proper now we’re in what we name the lean season, and so there’s numerous rain taking place. It makes it much more troublesome to get heavy vehicles throughout to the place the meals must go. And naturally, the battle, El Fasher is the- is the place the famine exists proper now, within- throughout the Darfur area, however there’s famine in different components of Sudan as effectively. Once more, it’s- it is the protected entry that we have to have and- and like different locations, full- full unfettered entry as effectively, and in a protected method for our individuals delivering the meals.
ED O’KEEFE: Govt Director of the World Meals Programme, Ambassador Cindy McCain, thanks a lot for bringing that vital perspective to us this morning. We’ll see you quickly.
MCCAIN: Thanks.
ED O’KEEFE: And we’ll be proper again.
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