Call for immediate ceasefire and humanitarian support in Gaza and the West Bank
Terre des Hommes is providing humanitarian and development assistance in Gaza and the West Bank through its International Federation.
Impact on children
Terre des Hommes is providing humanitarian and development assistance in Gaza and the West Bank through its International Federation.
During the last escalation in 2021, Terre des Hommes Netherlands provided - in collaboration with our federation members - humanitarian support to more than ten thousand vulnerable people in Gaza. This includes protection support to girls and boys, youth and survivors of violence.
Impact on children
We are concerned about the growing crisis between Gaza and Israel. With half of Gaza's population under the age of 18, the impact of the current crisis on children is particularly severe.
It is affecting their access to basic necessities and places an unimaginable strain on their physical and mental wellbeing. We are closely following the situation and will do everything we can to support the children affected by the war.
Call for immediate ceasefire
As Terre des Hommes International Federation, we also signed the open call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and further loss of innocent lives. In Gaza, the UN has said that water, food, fuel, medical supplies, and even body bags, are running out due to the siege. The UN warned that people – particularly young children – will soon start dying of severe dehydration. Neighbourhoods have been destroyed and turned into complete rubble. Palestinians in search of safety have nowhere to go. Many of those who relocated from northern Gaza to the south after the relocation order by the Israeli army were reportedly bombed as they attempted to flee or once they arrived in southern Gaza.
Collective responsibility
The events have led us to the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe and the world can no longer wait to act. It is our collective responsibility.
During this ceasefire, we call on all parties to unconditionally:
- Facilitate the delivery of lifesaving assistance, including food, medical supplies, fuel, and the resumption of electricity and internet to Gaza, in addition to safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff
- Free all civilian hostages, especially children and elderly
- Allow humanitarian convoys to reach UN facilities, schools, hospitals, and health facilities in northern Gaza and commit to protecting them along with the civilians and staff inside them at all times
- Rescind orders by the Government of Israel for civilians to depart northern Gaza
Allow patients in critical condition to be medically evacuated for urgent care
Read the signed letter here.
Read also the statement from our international federation: Terre des Hommes International Federation
