CARE's food distributions in Gaza resumed today. (© 2009 CARE) |
GAZA (January 16, 2009) - CARE is recommencing distributions today, after being forced to cancel scheduled deliveries of blankets and food yesterday due to the heavy bombing in Gaza City. The attacks severely damaged the U.N. compound and three hospitals — including two hospitals where CARE had recently delivered urgently needed medical supplies.
"Thousands of people will not be receiving blankets today because of yesterday's attacks. The temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius (35 F) last night, and people have no heat, no electricity," said Martha Myers, CARE's country director for West Bank and Gaza.
CARE strongly condemns the bombing of the UN compound, hospitals and Palestinian Red Crescent Society buildings, and again calls for an immediate ceasefire and full humanitarian access to people in need.
"CARE has reached 160,000 people with food, blankets and medical supplies during this conflict, but it's not nearly enough. How can we help all the people in need, when we can't get enough supplies in and the supplies that we have and distribute are destroyed in bomb attacks?" Myers said. "As the situation gets worse, innocent civilians need more assistance, not less."
CARE staff distributed fresh vegetables in the southern part of the Gaza Strip to more than 1,300 families yesterday morning, but was forced to cancel afternoon distributions because of severe bombing in the heavily populated area of Gaza City where CARE's supplies are stored.
Food and nutritional supplements are especially critical, as the Ministry of Health warns of rising numbers of malnourished children in Gaza.
About CARE: CARE is one of the world's largest humanitarian aid agencies, providing assistance in nearly 70 countries. CARE has been working in Israel, West Bank and Gaza since 1948 (with a short break from 1984-1994), initially implementing programs to help refugees after the Holocaust. Today, CARE implements programs in food security, health and water, support for civil society groups, and distributions of fresh food. Since the conflict started December 27, CARE has distributed fresh food, medical supplies, heaters, blankets and plastic sheeting to hospitals, families and feeding centers in Gaza.
