The UN names the deputy prime minister of the Netherlands as the special humanitarian coordinator for Gaza

Sigrid Kaag, Netherlands Deputy Prime Minister, announced on X that she will resign to become the UN's Gaza special humanitarian coordinator.

In a statement on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres named Kaag senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza.

After days of marathon talks, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2720 on the Gaza crisis last Friday with 13 votes in favor and the US and Russia abstaining.

The resolution calls for large-scale, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip Palestinians.

The resolution appointed Kaag as a senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator to “facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying” Gaza humanitarian relief.

It also calls for a UN mechanism to speed up aid, which has been insufficient for the enclave's two million residents.

According to the UN statement, Kaag will establish this mechanism with UNOPS support.

Kaag's assignment starts January 8, 2024.