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.
When it comes to applying for a loan your credit score plays a crucial role in determining your eligibility and interest rates. But with different types of credit scores and lenders it can be confusing to understand which score banks actually look at. This guide will demystify the world of credit scores and answer the question: What credit score do banks look at?
Understanding Credit Scores
Credit scores are numerical representations of your creditworthiness, based on your financial history and behavior. The higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved for loans and receive favorable interest rates.
There are two main credit scoring models used in the United States: FICO and VantageScore. FICO scores are used by the majority of lenders, including banks, while VantageScore is often used for pre-qualification purposes.
Which Credit Score Do Banks Look at?
For most lending decisions, banks use your FICO score. This score is calculated by Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) and takes into account various factors, including:
- Payment history (35%): This is the most significant factor, indicating your track record of making timely payments on your debts.
- Amounts owed (30%): This includes the total amount of credit you are using compared to your available credit limits.
- Length of credit history (15%): This refers to the age of your oldest credit account and the average age of all your accounts.
- Credit mix (10%): This considers the different types of credit you have, such as credit cards, loans, and mortgages.
- New credit (10%): This includes recent credit inquiries and the opening of new accounts.
Banks typically use the FICO Score 8 model, which is based on data from all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. However, some banks may use different FICO models or consider scores from only one or two bureaus.
How to Find Out Which Credit Score Banks Use
The best way to find out which credit score a specific bank uses is to contact them directly. You can also check their website or loan application materials for information about their credit score requirements.
It’s also important to note that different types of loans may have different credit score requirements. For example, mortgages typically require higher credit scores than personal loans.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
If you’re looking to improve your credit score, there are several things you can do:
- Make all your payments on time. This is the most important factor in improving your credit score.
- Keep your credit utilization low. Aim to keep your credit card balances below 30% of your available credit limit.
- Don’t apply for too much new credit. Every time you apply for new credit, a hard inquiry is placed on your credit report, which can lower your score.
- Become an authorized user on a credit card with good credit history. This can help you build your credit history without having to open a new account.
- Dispute any errors on your credit report. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Understanding which credit score banks look at is crucial for making informed financial decisions. By monitoring your credit score and taking steps to improve it, you can increase your chances of getting approved for loans and securing the best interest rates. Remember, a good credit score can save you money in the long run.
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 happened after the gunfire ?
We decided that we would continue with the mission. And basically, that just meant continuing to hold until we got the green light. Unfortunately, we held there for at least another two hours. And by that point, it was about 1 p. m. the mission could no longer be carried out because, even if we had been given the go-ahead, we would still have needed to travel to the checkpoint, through the checkpoint, and up north, and we would not have had the time to finish the mission. So we decided that we would turn back and try another day.
Today, we had our redo of our mission to the north. It was a 13-hour mission, and almost six of those hours were spent waiting for the green light. We didn’t get to complete everything, and that’s really disappointing. We were only able to conduct the nutrition and medical aspects of the mission at Kamal Adwan Hospital. We had 45 minutes on the ground at the hospital, that’s it.
We delivered a whole truck of medical and nutrition supplies. It included ready-to-use therapeutic food, which is a treatment for malnutrition, and high energy biscuits.
Which FICO Score Do Mortgage Lenders Use? ( Mortgage Credit Score Explained )
FAQ
What credit score does the bank check?
Which credit score is used by banks?
What do banks see as a good credit score?
|
Excellent
|
Very good
|
Good
|
|
Excellent 961 – 999
|
Very good 881 – 960
|
Good 721 – 880
|
Which FICO score is used for mortgage?
What do Mortgage Lenders look for in a credit score?
Mortgage lenders primarily look at FICO ® Scores 2, 4 and 5 when determining a borrower’s creditworthiness as they apply for a home loan. While there are 16 different versions of FICO ® Scores, known as scoring models, these three scores are the ones used by the three major credit bureaus, Experian™, Equifax ® and TransUnion ®.
What is a FICO credit score?
FICO credit scores are used to evaluate a borrower’s creditworthiness. The FICO scoring methodology has been updated over the years, and lenders use multiple versions. Industry-specific FICO scores are also available for different types of credit, such as mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. What Are FICO Scores?
How do I know if my credit score is good?
Looking at what makes up your FICO score (the most widely used credit scoring model) is a good place to start. FICO scores range from 300 and 850, with anything 670 or above considered good or better. If your score is much lower than that, you will probably find it difficult to borrow money at favorable interest rates and maybe at all.
What credit score do lenders use?
For the majority of lending decisions most lenders use your FICO score. Calculated by the data analytics company Fair Isaac Corporation, it’s based on data from credit reports about your payment history, credit mix, length of credit history and other criteria. Some lenders use another scoring model, VantageScore, especially credit card companies.