Jan 24, 2009

Gaza – Ma’an – A coalition of international aid agencies urged the Israeli government on Saturday to open the Gaza Strip’s border to allow vital goods into the territory.

After 19 months of blockade and 23 days war, Gazans continue to suffer a lack of food, water, healthcare, fuel and shelter.

“We can’t wait any more,” said Muhammad Ali, an official with Oxfam International, demanding that “all the crossings work at their full capacity.” He said slightest delays of humanitarian access will cause the crisis to double, causing more misery the people of Gaza.

The agencies, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) held a news conference on Saturday at the intensive care unit of Gaza’s Ash-Shifa Hospital to point up an ongoing humanitarian crisis stemming from Israel’s blockade.

Agencies are mostly currently concerned with poor families, seeking to provide them with drinkable water, food, medicine and personal hygiene supplies to prevent the spread of disease.

Oxfam International is starting a campaign to collect funds to buy basic supplies for Palestinians, hoping to raise six million pounds over six months.

Mohammed Ali, with Oxfam said his organization is aware of the scale of the devastation, and says the funds are necessary make decent life possible again in Gaza.

Currently, Israel only allows 125 trucks into Gaza per day. Aid agencies say the number of trucks must increase in order to prevent another crisis.

Ali said that collective punishment is a violation of international humanitarian law.
He urged “all concerned parties” to obey the law by lifting the blockade.

Also among the groups calling for an end to the blockade are Action Against Hunger, Medical Aid for Palestinians UK, Mercy Corps, and World Vision.