International development charity, Christian Aid, has launched an emergency appeal to help people impacted by escalation of violence across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“Following atrocities against Israeli civilians last weekend, Israel's military response in Gaza is now creating an escalating humanitarian crisis that threatens more than 2 million people. After 16 years of closures and sporadic conflict, the people in Gaza were already experiencing very high levels of poverty, unemployment, and violence and insecurity,” William Bell, Christian Aid’s Head of Middle East Policy & Advocacy, explains.
Mr Bell added: “A lack of water, food, and electricity, and intensifying military action, are putting the lives of growing numbers of civilians at risk. Our civil society partners in Gaza stand ready to respond with medical relief and community-led initiatives such as food, shelter, sanitation and protection.”
As the escalation of violence and destruction increases, one of Christian Aid’s partners in Gaza has warned the situation is “deteriorating very badly in Gaza. It is not easy to move even to your neighbour’s house. We are trying to make do with the food we have like other families.”
“We didn’t sleep last night. We are so scared. There are thousands and thousands of families who are seeking shelter at schools but there are also many families that are now living on the streets,” another local partner in Gaza has been in touch with Christian Aid to explain.
Michael Mosselmans, Christian Aid’s Head of Humanitarian Division, added: “We are gravely concerned by the mounting death toll and scale of destruction across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
"With critical infrastructure, including healthcare facilities and homes, destroyed by airstrikes we are seeing hundreds of thousands of people without anywhere safe to live or the basics such as access to clean water and proper sanitation to prevent the risk of diseases.
“Christian Aid has therefore launched an appeal to strengthen the support we can give through our established local partners to people who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to people in crisis.”
The humanitarian agency is also urging the UK Government to commit to protecting aid to the Palestinian people and has called for the rapid establishment of safe humanitarian access.
Christian Aid’s Director of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns, Osai Ojigho, said: “All parties must abide by international humanitarian law and unconditionally agree to protect civilians and key services, starting with establishing safe humanitarian access as requested by the UN.”
She added: “With the civilian population of Gaza already on their knees, the UK Government must not cut aid to the Palestinian people. We need that commitment today. As we pray for an end to the conflict, international leaders must also act and help secure a lasting peace that achieves justice and dignity for all.”
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
Every donation will make a difference. Christian Aid has confirmed that a donation of £6 will pay for a basic hygiene kit while a donation of £37 will pay for a food parcel for a family of five in Gaza.
The appeal page can be found by clicking here: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/middle-east-crisis-appeal
More information:
Christian Aid has been working with the poorest and most vulnerable people in the Middle East since the early 1950s, when we first provided humanitarian relief to Palestinian refugees.
Today, as Palestinian people continue to experience exile, blockade, violence and increasing land dispossession, we work with both Israeli and Palestinian partners to protect human rights and promote resilience for Palestinian communities and civil society.
All our work aims to support the foundations for a just, lasting peace for all.
- Protect, promote and defend human rights for the protection of Palestinians in the Middle East.
- Strengthen the resilience of individuals, communities and institutions, so they can respond when faced with threats to their lives, land and livelihoods.
- Deliver humanitarian responses that are accountable, impartial and strengthen local capacity.
