International humanitarian organizations claim they still encounter violence and practical challenges when attempting to provide aid throughout the famine-threatened region, following the death of World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza due to an Israel airstrike that drew international condemnation.
A week after the World Central Kitchen attack, UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram tells TIME over the phone from Rafah on Sunday about a terrifying and fruitless attempt to deliver aid to north Gaza. While waiting at a checkpoint, the convoy she was traveling in—which had been prearranged with the Israel Defense Forces—was caught in the crossfire. Although Ingram is unsure of the shooter, she believes the shots originated from the direction of the checkpoint, which she calculates to be less than a kilometer (about half a mile) away.
“The IDF works in order to prevent harm to humanitarian teams,” the statement from the IDF tells TIME after an investigation indicates that its forces “were not within firing range of the convoy at the time and place indicated and it was found that no fire was carried out at the vehicle by the IDF.” ”.
In response, Ingram states, “We believe it’s critical that an impartial inquiry be carried out in order to clarify the events that transpired and guarantee that going forward, we have the required security to provide aid.” ”.
The need is dire. One million people in Gaza face an impending famine, according to a warning issued last month by the global authority on food insecurity. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 28 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration as of April 12.
Despite the needs, more than half of recent requested aid missions to north Gaza were unsuccessful, the U. N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported. Between April 6, 2012, and April 7, 2017, Israel facilitated 2041 percent of the missions; the remaining 2041 percent were denied or impeded, including because of hostilities; in 2017, aid groups canceled most of the missions due to logistical constraints.
World Central Kitchen claims that it coordinated its movements with Israel prior to the military attacking its convoy on April 2, demonstrating that even well-planned missions can be risky. Following what Israel described as a “grave mistake,” seven aid workers died as a result, prompting President Joe Biden to issue an ultimatum to Israel: either increase food aid into Gaza and take action to protect civilians, or risk losing U.S. S. support.
In response, Israel declared it would create new channels for the entry of additional aid, including a crossing into the northern Gaza Strip. According to an email sent to TIME by COGAT, the IDF’s humanitarian branch, more than 300 trucks entered Gaza every day last week as part of an increase in aid.
Biden said Wednesday that the number of trucks was still “not enough. ” Data from UNRWA, the U. N. ‘s Palestinian relief organization only slightly increases (the organization counts trucks in a different way than COGAT, according to the Associated Press). COGAT accused the U. N. of failing to gather supplies, sharing a photo of goods stacked inside Gaza on X, and claiming that “the Israeli side is not the bottleneck.” ”.
The U. N. ‘s head has resisted, saying that workers are being threatened by bombardment and fighting because “the real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid.” Since the war began on Oct. 7, 217 aid workers have been killed in Gaza, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X that “the increase in aid is not yet tangible, sustained or uninterrupted.” “Aid also needs to reach safely all those in need. ”.
Here’s what Ingram tells TIME about the challenges to delivering aid and the needs. The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Hey there, fellow financially savvy individuals! Ever wondered what happens when a debt goes kaput, gets written off, and becomes a closed charged-off account? Should you pay it? Should you let it be? Should you hide under your bed and pretend it doesn’t exist?
I’m here to help you navigate the murky waters of closed charged-off accounts and make an informed decision about whether to pay it off or let it fade into oblivion, so fear not, brave adventurers of the financial landscape!
What the Heck is a Closed Charged-Off Account?
Imagine this: you have a credit card you use it but then life throws you a curveball, and you can’t keep up with the payments. The debt grows, the late fees pile up, and eventually, the issuer says, “Enough is enough!” They write off the debt as a loss, closing the account to any future charges. This, my friends, is a closed charged-off account.
The Looming Shadow of a Closed Charged-Off Account
A closed charged-off account might seem like a distant memory, but it can cast a long shadow on your credit score. It can stay on your credit report for up to seven years, like a persistent ghost haunting your financial past. This can make it harder to get loans, credit cards, and even jobs in the future.
Should You Pay or Should You Let It Go?
The million-dollar question: do you pay off the closed charged-off account or let it be? The answer, like most things in life, is “it depends.”
Here are some factors to consider:
- Your financial situation: Can you afford to pay it off without jeopardizing your other financial goals?
- The amount of the debt: Is it a small amount that you can easily pay off, or is it a significant sum that would require some serious budgeting?
- The impact on your credit score: How much will paying off the debt improve your credit score?
- The statute of limitations: In some states, there’s a time limit on how long a creditor can sue you to collect a debt. If the statute of limitations has passed, you may not be legally obligated to pay it.
The Pros and Cons of Paying Off a Closed Charged-Off Account
Pros:
- Improved credit score: Paying off the debt can significantly improve your credit score.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that you’ve taken care of your debt can give you peace of mind.
- Reduced risk of being sued: If you pay off the debt, the creditor can no longer sue you to collect it.
Cons:
- Financial strain: Paying off the debt may require you to make sacrifices in other areas of your budget.
- No guarantee of credit score improvement: Your credit score may not improve as much as you expect, especially if the debt is old.
- Reactivation of the debt: In some cases, paying off a closed charged-off account can reactivate the debt, meaning you’ll be responsible for the original balance plus any accrued interest and fees.
Making the Decision: To Pay or Not to Pay
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pay off a closed charged-off account is a personal one. There’s no right or wrong answer, and it depends on your individual circumstances.
Here are some tips to help you make the decision:
- Talk to a financial advisor: A financial advisor can help you assess your financial situation and make an informed decision.
- Contact the creditor: Talk to the creditor and see if they’re willing to settle the debt for a lower amount.
- Get it in writing: If you do decide to pay off the debt, make sure you get it in writing that the debt will be removed from your credit report.
Remember, paying off a closed charged-off account is not always the best option. Sometimes, it may be better to let it go and focus on improving your credit score in other ways.
Additional Resources:
- Experian: Paying off Closed or Charged off Accounts
- TIME: What Is a Charge Off & How To Deal With It
Can you describe the impacts on your convoy from the gunfire?
We were a convoy of three cars and two trucks. Only one vehicle was hit, that was the one I was in. Three bullets hit us: one hit the car’s hood, two struck the right-hand rear passenger door where I was sitting, one hit the window, and one hit the door. My colleague in one of the other cars, he saw bullets ricocheting off the ground. Ahead of us at the holding point there was another U. N. convoy from the World Food Programme and the United Nations Office for Project Services. They had a bullet go through the windshield of their fuel truck.
We’re very fortunate that we were in an armored vehicle…Fortunately, we were unharmed.
Do you know what instigated it or where it came from?
I don’t know what instigated it. It appeared to be coming from the checkpoint’s direction, heading south, and it appeared to be directed at civilians, or what appeared to be civilians, who subsequently turned and fled in the opposite direction. I would say I saw a dozen (apparent civilians).
What does Charge Off mean on my Credit Report? Does Charged Off mean I don’t have to pay?
FAQ
What happens if you don’t pay a charged off account?
Is it worth paying off closed accounts?
Is it worth paying a charged off account?
What happens if I don’t pay off a closed account?
Can a closed account go into charge off?
An account closed because of default in payments can go into charge-off, which means the lender writes off the debt on their books. Even after an account has been closed or charged off, the borrower is still responsible for the debt. Should I pay off closed accounts on a credit report?
What happens if a charge-off account is charged off?
Once an account is charged off, its next destination is likely a debt collection agency. Creditors often sell their charged-off accounts to debt collectors so they can attempt to collect the amount owed. If you have a recent charge-off on your credit reports, you may see a collection account on your credit reports soon.
Will paying a closed or charged off account improve my credit score?
Paying a closed or charged off account will not typically result in immediate improvement to your credit scores, but can help improve your scores over time. If the creditor has not sold or transferred the debt to a collection agency, the charged off account still will report the balance owed.
What happens if you pay off a charge-off balance?
It sends the message that you may not pay any new accounts either. Once you pay the charge-off, you improve your odds of having your applications approved. Paying a charged-off balance also reduces your overall debt, which could boost your credit score, since 30% of your score is based on the amount of debt you’re carrying.