CARE and Save the Children Issue Joint Statement on Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

A man and his son seek shelter at a United Nations school in Gaza. (© 2009 Abid Katib/CARE)

JERUSALEM (January 22, 2009) - CARE and Save the Children today expressed concern about the devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza, announcing that they can not ramp up their emergency response because of restrictions on entry into Gaza. The two global organizations are calling for immediate and unfettered access for humanitarian aid and staff to meet the growing needs of the people, more than half of whom are children.

The flow of aid has been limited since the escalation of violence, and the groups have not been allowed to send additional staff into Gaza. But more humanitarian workers are required to support those already in Gaza, the ones who have been working throughout the conflict under extremely difficult conditions. Most of the population has been without basic services and supplies for nearly a month. CARE and Save the Children stress that essential items are in short supply in Gaza. They include food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits and reconstruction materials.

The groups applaud the statements of John Holmes, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and United Nations emergency relief coordinator, regarding the urgent need for humanitarian access. And they ask him to negotiate a removal of this barrier to effective humanitarian action during his visit to the region today.

"Gaza's devastation has not only been caused by the recent three-week conflict. Humanitarian aid organizations have been denied access to the Gaza Strip since November 4, and this is utterly impeding our ability to respond to the humanitarian disaster we are faced with today," said Martha Myers, country director for CARE in the West Bank and Gaza. "The 18-month blockade of Gaza has left the population weakened and completely unprepared to recover from the current crisis without outside help."

Annie Foster, team leader for Save the Children's emergency response in Gaza said the groups need to move quickly to get lifesaving aid to babies, children and their families. "The threat of violence may be diminished, but the children of Gaza are no less vulnerable," Foster said. "Indeed the health and well-being of an even greater number of children are at risk."

The organizations also renewed their call for a permanent and negotiated ceasefire, paving the way for a durable peace that will benefit all children and families both within Gaza and Israel.

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. Since the conflict started December 27, 2008, CARE has distributed fresh food, medical supplies, heaters, blankets and plastic sheeting to hospitals, families and feeding centers in Gaza, reaching 160,000 people.

About Save the Children: Save the Children is the leading, independent organization creating real and lasting change for children in more than 100 countries around the world. The agency, which has worked in Gaza since 1953, has reached nearly 40,000 Gazans, half of them children, with food parcels, hygiene kits, baby kits, plastic carpets for use under mattresses and bottled water since the conflict started on December 27, 2008.