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, credit score curious folks! Let’s dive into the world of FICO scores, specifically the FICO 8, and see if a score of 8 is something to celebrate or something to strive for Buckle up, because we’re going on a credit score adventure!
First things first, what exactly is a FICO score? Think of it as your financial report card, a three-digit number that lenders use to assess your creditworthiness. The higher the score, the better FICO, short for Fair Isaac Corporation, is the leading provider of these credit scores, and they have various versions, with FICO 8 being the most widely used.
So, is a FICO score of 8 okay? Well it depends on your perspective. In the grand scheme of things a score of 8 is considered excellent. It puts you in the top tier of borrowers, meaning you’ll likely qualify for the best interest rates and loan terms. However, if you’re aiming for the absolute pinnacle of creditworthiness, a score of 8 might not be enough. The coveted “perfect” score is 850, and while an 8 is definitely nothing to scoff at, there’s always room for improvement, right?
Now, let’s break down what goes into a FICO 8 score. It’s like a recipe with five key ingredients:
- Payment history (35%): This is the big kahuna, the most important factor. Do you pay your bills on time, every time? If so, you’re golden. Late payments, however, can drag your score down significantly.
- Amounts owed (30%): This refers to how much debt you have compared to your available credit. Aim to keep your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you’re using) below 30%. Maxing out your credit cards is a big no-no.
- Length of credit history (15%): The longer your credit history, the better. This shows lenders that you have a track record of responsible borrowing.
- New credit (10%): Applying for too many new credit lines in a short period can hurt your score. So, take it easy on those credit card applications.
- Credit mix (10%): Having a mix of credit accounts, such as credit cards and installment loans, can boost your score.
So, how do you get a FICO score of 8? It’s all about building healthy credit habits. Here are some tips:
- Pay your bills on time, every time. Set up automatic payments or reminders to avoid late fees and missed payments.
- Keep your credit utilization ratio low. Aim for 30% or less.
- Don’t apply for too many new credit lines.
- Become an authorized user on a responsible credit card account. This can help you build credit history without taking on new debt.
- Check your credit reports regularly for errors. Dispute any inaccuracies you find.
Remember, building a good credit score takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you’re not where you want to be yet. Just keep at it, and you’ll eventually reach your credit score goals.
And hey, if you’re ever feeling lost in the credit score jungle, don’t hesitate to reach out to a financial advisor or credit counselor. They can help you navigate the complexities of credit and make informed decisions about your financial future.
So, there you have it, folks! A deep dive into the world of FICO scores, specifically the FICO 8, and whether a score of 8 is “okay.” Remember, it’s all about perspective and your individual goals. Keep building those healthy credit habits, and you’ll be on your way to a stellar credit score in no time!
What happened on Tuesday at the checkpoint?
After receiving the all clear to depart rather late, we got on the road and headed up toward the Salah Al-Din checkpoint on the Wadi Gaza line. We were instructed to wait in the designated holding areas for convoys, which is not unusual. We were examining a mechanical issue with our car in that holding area when there was gunfire.
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.
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FAQ
Is FICO score of 8 accurate?
Do lenders use FICO score 8?
Is a FICO score of 8 good to buy a house?
What is the minimum good FICO score?
Do FICO score 8 credit scores matter?
That all depends on what you want to do. In general, if you’re trying to get a new credit card, car loan or consumer loan, then your FICO® Score 8 credit scores can matter. Since FICO® Score 8 credit scores are the most widely used FICO® scores, there’s a good chance a potential lender may use it.
What is FICO score 8?
While FICO Score 8 is one of the most popular types of credit scores used by lenders for the purpose of making credit decisions, you may have also encountered a very similar-sounding term—FICO Bankcard Score 8. Generally speaking, FICO Bankcard Score 8 is the version of FICO Score 8 used in credit card decision-making.
What is a good FICO ® score?
FICO® score ranges vary — either from 300 to 850 or 250 to 900, depending on the scoring model. The higher the score, the better your credit. Let’s take a deeper look at FICO ® score ranges, what’s considered to be a good FICO ® score, and how to improve your credit if your scores fall on the lower end of the scoring spectrum. How’s your credit?
Can I get a FICO score 8 for free?
FICO and all three of the credit reporting companies can provide you with your FICO Score 8, though it’s typically offered as part of a credit monitoring and reporting and/or identity theft protection service with a monthly charge. Your credit card company or other lender may provide you with a credit score for free.