Transcription: Cindy McCain in

The following is the transcription of an interview with Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Program, which was issued in “Fac The Nation with Margaret Brennan” on August 31, 2025.

Ed O’Kefe: We go to the Executive Director of the World Food Program, Ambassador Cindy McCain, who joins us this morning from Rome. Ambassador, thank you very much for being with us, and you are with us in part because you just returned from a trip to Gaza. So few strangers are entering these days to evaluate the situation. What did you see?

Executive Director of the UN Food Program Cindy McCain: Well, first, thanks for covering this. I entered Gaza. I entered the Kissufim door. I went to the Balah, then to Khan Yunis and through the Kerem Shalom-Kerem Shalom. I saw a lot of devastation. I saw a lot of hunger. I saw people waiting in long lines for water. You know: what you would expect to see in a situation like that. And there is, there is a clear despair in the hearts and minds of people there, because there is simply not enough food. I met with a family of 11 people who had come from the north. They had walked until the end. And what I saw, had photos that they brought with their belongings, and I saw the type of photos of before and after. And there, I didn’t even recognize these people. They have weight loss, malnutrition, stress and everything that your family is taking. It is: it is really a really devastating situation, and something that we need to demand fire at this time and make sure we can enter and feed.

Ed O’Kefe: and yet Israel has declared a combat area to the city of Gaza and is ending the humanitarian pauses and increasing air strikes around the city. Gaza, of course, is one of the areas where a global monitor has confirmed the famine. You talk about the hunger that you saw in that region and around that region. What will a more aggressive military offensive mean in that area for the city of Gaza?

McCain: Well, it will limit the amount of food to which they have access. Of course, the danger is only a completely different part of that, as they know, and does not facilitate humanitarian aid workers to ensure that we can do our job. The only thing I have been saying all the time about situations such as Gaza City and others is that humanitarian workers are not objective. They are not objectives, and this has to end. So I hope it may not be as bad as we think it will be. But I have the feeling that I have the feeling that we are going to see some more serious devastation.

Ed O’Kefe: In fact, you mention the issue of security for humanitarian workers. Last year, among the most registered mortal, almost 400 dead in the fulfillment of duty. There was a convoy of the World Food Program that was criticized in Gaza last month. I mean, in the absence of a high fire, what else should the parties at war do to protect humanitarians while trying to carry out this work?

McCain: Well, these people are desperate. You know that in terms of those on the ground, trucks hurry, etc. What we need is full access and without scale restrictions, in order to enter and feed, and feed in a way where panic decreases. And secondly, of course, we do nothing that involves weapons or military in any way, form or form. And that is on purpose. That is what we are. That is our mandate. And so, obviously, a high fire, as I said before, to be able to enter on scale, without restrictions and safely, and continuously enter, and enter the farthest sites where we cannot take food to the most vulnerable people who are at risk at this time.

Ed O’Keefe: As part of his trip to the region, he also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He described it as a productive meeting and said he argued what he needs to get access. But, you have also said that it was clear that there is not enough food in Gaza. And I want to read something that Prime Minister’s office published on social networks. They said, in part, it is unfortunate that Mrs. McCain has issued statements that contradict what he told us in Jerusalem. That is a misrepresentation. Israel is allowing a constant flow of help in sufficient amounts. What is your response to Prime Minister?

McCain: Well, I keep what I said. There is not enough food. And without a stop the fire and the ability to enter, as I said, on a scale, without restrictions, making sure that we are safe, doing it too. That is the only way we can feed people. In recent weeks, we have been able to obtain a little more food. So that is a precise statement. But it is not enough. It is not enough to be able to do the work and stop malnutrition, hunger and all things that have happened as a result. Let me, let me add a thing to that, malnutrition and hunger and famine of any kind, it is not just food. It’s about water. This is medicine. It is the ability to treat the entire body of a person who is malnourished or malnourished in that way. Therefore, it implies more than only food trucks, although that is very important, but also implies things that feed special for children, as well as medicine and water they need to enter.

Ed O’Kefe: So let me move to another part of the world, because it is the World Food Program, after all, and Sudan is the other part of the world that is in the middle of the famine. Earlier this month, one of his convoys was attacked while delivered in that country as well. What challenges faces there, trying to bring food to people who need it in Sudan?

McCain: Well, the incident you just described, of course, the attackers of the convoys. We are, at this time we are what we call the lean season, so there is a lot of rain. It makes it even more difficult to wear heavy trucks where food should go. And, of course, the conflict, the phase is where the famine exists at this time, within the Darfur region, but there is also hunger in other parts of Sudan. Once again, it is: it is the sure access we need to have and, and, like other places, full access without restrictions also, and safely for our people to deliver food.

Ed O’Kefe: Executive Director of the World Food Program, Ambassador Cindy McCain, thank you very much for bringing us that important perspective this morning. See you soon.

McCain: Thank you.

Ed O’Keefe: And we’ll return.