A high-level delegation from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international non-violent humanitarian initiative advocating for Palestinians in Gaza, has arrived in the Maldives for an official visit from 6 to 8 January.
The GSF is a coordinated, independent fleet of vessels sailing from ports across the Mediterranean, aimed at delivering humanitarian assistance, raising international awareness of the crisis in Gaza and challenging the Israeli blockade of the territory.
The visiting delegation includes members of the GSF steering committee: Thiago Ávila, Saif Abukeshek, Nadir Al-Nuri and Kleoniki Alexopoulou.
During their stay, the delegation is scheduled to meet senior government officials, representatives of civil society organisations and staff from relevant agencies. The meetings will focus on outlining the objectives of the Global Sumud Flotilla, sharing experiences from international advocacy efforts for Palestine, and discussing the initiative’s future plans.
According to the International Aid Campaign (IAC), the GSF’s visit aligns with the Maldives’ broader humanitarian engagement and advocacy on global platforms. The IAC said a key aim of the visit is to strengthen national participation in international humanitarian initiatives undertaken by organisations such as the GSF.
The Global Sumud Flotilla describes itself as a collective international response to the prolonged humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It has consistently sought to draw attention to conditions in the territory and to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people.
Launched in mid-July last year, the initiative is founded on principles of non-violence and peace-building. Its stated objective is to provide humanitarian aid while campaigning for Palestinians’ right to access their coastline and live with dignity.