CARE International UK’s head of advocacy and policy, Dorothy Sang, says:
“The Israeli announcement of a one-week humanitarian pause in certain parts of Gaza that will reportedly see the designation of secure routes for UN convoys and the lifting of customs on food, medicine and aid for a limited time period at one crossing point, is not a solution to the mass starvation and manmade humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“Similarly, airdrops, already proven as a dangerous, dehumanizing and insufficient method to deliver aid, cannot replace principled methods of delivery, especially to those who are most vulnerable and already most weakened by malnutrition – including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
“An immediate and lasting ceasefire and full, principled and unimpeded aid access for humanitarian actors – including for Palestinian and international NGOs like CARE and our partners – supported by operationally-proven and well-established UN coordination and distribution mechanisms are the only way forward for alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe and human tragedy we are seeing unfold in Gaza day by day.
“Since coming into office, the UK government has continued to license British-made weapons that could be used in this conflict. Now is the time for the prime minister to seize the moment, halt all arms exports, and generate the momentum needed for a ceasefire and lasting peace where Palestinians and Israelis alike can live in safety and in full fulfilment of their rights.”
