Aid agencies say Gaza's 1.5 million residents are in urgent need of food and medical aid.

BBC: Israel is 'nearing Gaza goals'

Although in the short run they allow emergency relief the distribution of food and medical aid, for example they can quickly become sources of instability.

ECONOMIST: Exporting misery | The

That puts them beyond the reach of food and medical aid.

ECONOMIST: Sudan��s rebels change their spots

The nongovernmental organizations that all but replaced Afghanistan's health and welfare system are able to distribute food and aid and medical attention once again.

CNN: Afghan capital optimistic 6 months later

The Administration is providing nonlethal aid, like food and medical supplies, to the rebels, and substantial assistance to the Syrian political opposition.

NEWYORKER: The Thin Red Line

Kerry is expected to announce some aid for the armed opposition, including food and medical supplies.

CNN: Kerry set to announce more aid for Syrian opposition

In Rome on Thursday, Mr Kerry promised direct aid to Syrian rebels in the form of food and medical supplies, but not the weapons they say they need to win.

BBC: John Kerry holds talks on Syria crisis in Ankara

They also like to do the decent thing for instance, sending a medical team to Bosnia, development aid to Namibia, Malawi and Mozambique, and food via the Red Cross to hungry Russians around Murmansk.

ECONOMIST: Iceland prefers its own company