On Monday evening, CARE joined a coalition of ten international NGOs (Oxfam, Save the Children, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), Action for Humanity, ActionAid UK, Islamic Relief UK, Action Against Hunger, Christian Aid and International Rescue Committee UK) to unite in a call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, to end the appalling suffering of people in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.
Representatives from the humanitarian charities held giant, lit letters spelling out CEASEFIRE NOW against the backdrop of the Houses of Parliament, to draw attention to the call. Colleagues from across the organisations each shared harrowing testimonies from their colleagues and partners caught under bombardment in Gaza.
The Ceasefire Now campaign, of which CARE is a part, has seen over 3 million people around the world call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire. Without one, it is virtually impossible to reach over 2 million people who are trapped in Gaza without access to clean water, food, healthcare, proper shelter and sanitation.
Conditions in Gaza are apocalyptic and are worsening by the hour. As humanitarian organisations, without a lasting ceasefire it is impossible for us to deliver the aid at the scale that is so desperately needed by a population that is on its knees in Gaza.
We are gravely concerned about Israel's ‘total siege’ on essential resources like fuel and water, and restricted entry points for humanitarian organisations to provide vital assistance and services. The conduct of hostilities so far has wreaked havoc on the needs, rights and lives of the entire civilian population.
The politicisation of humanitarian assistance is severely limiting our ability to reach people in Gaza with medical care, sanitation services, and lifesaving aid, increasing needless suffering for already overwhelmed, displaced and grieving families. Only a lasting ceasefire can prevent further suffering and enable agencies like ours to address the immense scope and scale of this crisis.
CARE International UK’s CEO, Helen McEachern, said:
“As humanitarian organisations, without a lasting ceasefire in this context it is nigh on impossible for us to deliver the aid at the enormous scale that is so desperately needed by a population that is on its knees in Gaza. Without this, the suffering will only grow for people in Gaza, West Bank and Israel.”