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Ahead of International Women’s Day, several of the UK’s largest international aid charities and networks have joined together to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel.
More than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the horrific attack on 7th October. Over 70% percent of those killed in Gaza are women and children.
Representatives of the charities gathered on the Millennium Bridge in London on Thursday 7th March with a floral wreath spelling out CEASEFIRE NOW.
Helen McEachern, CEO of CARE International UK, said:
“Visiting Ramallah recently, I was in awe of the incredible work humanitarian aid workers are delivering in the worst imaginable conditions. With a catastrophic lack of medical care, food and water, women and girls are suffering unbearably. With northern Gaza on the brink of famine, we urgently need a ceasefire and an increase in aid now.”
The conflict has had a devastating effect on the lives and dignity of women and girls, whose specific needs are often overlooked, as well as men and boys. Women in Gaza are having to give birth in shelters, in their homes, in the streets amid rubble, or in overwhelmed health care facilities.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are particularly vulnerable as illness and hunger have spread. The lack of clean drinking water and hygiene facilities also increase the risks that women and girls face.
The charities participating in the demonstration are calling for:
- An immediate and permanent ceasefire;
- The release of all hostages and unlawfully detained persons;
- Full compliance by all parties with International Humanitarian Law, including the protection of hospitals, schools and refugee camps; and
- The facilitation of aid and supplies into Gaza at scale.
The charities also stand firmly in support of all survivors seeking justice for gender-based violence. Conflict-related sexual violence is a gross violation of human rights and prohibited under international humanitarian law.
Action Against Hunger, Action For Humanity, CARE International UK, ActionAid UK, GAPS, Oxfam and Plan International UK participated in the demonstration.
Media enquiries
For media enquiries, please contact David Moore, Media Officer at CARE International UK, press.uk@careinternational.org
