Humanitarian needs in Gaza are staggering and UNRWA must be allowed to deliver aid, says CAFOD
Yesterday, 30th January, an Israeli ban on UNRWA’s operations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory came into effect. The UN agency is the biggest provider of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the ban will have devastating consequences for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), warns Catholic aid charity CAFOD.
“The ceasefire has enabled a rapid increase in humanitarian aid reaching people in Gaza However, the looming ban on UNRWA threatens the delivery of life saving aid, the restoration of essential services such as schools and health clinics in the future and threatens the stability of the ceasefire. There is no alternative to UNRWA,” said Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD’s Country Programme Representative for the Middle East.
“The humanitarian needs are staggering. The scale of the damage and destruction over the last 15 months in Gaza is immense, and the task of rebuilding will take many years. UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, providing essential logistics and coordination support and is the only agency capable of delivering aid at the necessary scale, and must be allowed to continue operations. This will enable the people of Gaza to begin to rebuild their lives again”
Continuous bombardment has damaged or destroyed 90% of homes and damaged all of Gaza’s infrastructure including water and electricity supplies, hospitals, schools, roads and farmland, exacerbating the acute humanitarian need.
CAFOD’s partners continue their essential work, providing primary healthcare, distributing vital cash assistance and now, once again adapting quickly to changing circumstances, their partner, the Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA), has set up welcome points to support some of the many thousands of people returning to their homes and neighbourhoods. Here they distribute essential aid such as water, blankets, and dignity kits. They also provide access to mobile medical teams, psychological first aid, essential information, and youth activities—such as wall art projects—to help ease frustration during the long wait times to re-enter different areas of Gaza.
CAFOD welcomes the UK’s diplomatic efforts to turn around Israel’s decision but more must be done to ensure UNRWA’s operations can continue. The UK must show leadership in support of a just and enduring peace.
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas International, working with communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America to fight poverty and injustice. The agency works with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.