France Dispatches 400 Tonnes of Infant Food Aid to Gaza from Le Havre Port

On January 18, 2026, France sent a significant humanitarian aid shipment to Gaza, targeting vulnerable populations including infants in critical need of nutritional support. This shipment, organized by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, consisted of 383 tonnes of infant food cargo transported from the port of Le Havre aboard a CMA CGM container ship destined for Port Said, Egypt.

The aid package notably includes 25,000 cartons of “plumpy doz,” a nutrient-rich paste produced by French company Nutriset, designed to combat malnutrition among children aged six months to two years. This shipment alone is sufficient to feed approximately 42,000 children for six months, underscoring France’s continued commitment to addressing humanitarian needs within Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, France has delivered a total of 1,700 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza, with CMA CGM playing a key role by covering transportation costs through its foundation. CMA CGM has an established record of humanitarian deliveries, having transported 6,000 tonnes of aid in 2025 to conflict-affected regions including Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine.

Upon arrival in Egypt, the World Food Programme (WFP) will take charge of transporting the aid shipments from Port Said into Gaza, with French authorities closely monitoring this process to ensure the aid is properly distributed. The French government is also navigating challenges related to NGO operations in Gaza, where 37 organizations have been deregistered, potentially hindering humanitarian efforts. French officials emphasize the importance of enabling trustworthy NGOs to continue their work free from privatization or militarization.

This latest aid shipment exemplifies France’s ongoing humanitarian diplomacy and practical assistance in one of the world’s most challenging crises, striving to alleviate malnutrition and support vulnerable populations in Gaza through coordinated logistic and operational partnerships.