Save the Children is calling for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza following reports that at least 32 children have been killed in Israeli air strikes.
Monday 29 December 2008
Salwa El Tibi, Save the Children UK’s Gaza Programme Manager, said: “The situation is catastrophic. Children make up half the population of Gaza and are being hit hard by this escalation in the conflict.
“There is no escape for them or for their families. They do not have access to health care, decent food, heat, light, or sufficient water. The air strikes began just as children were leaving school, exposing them to horrific scenes of violence.”
There is no electricity nor gas to cook food or to heat homes against the bitter Gazan winter. Many bakeries have stopped producing bread because there is a severe shortage of flour.
“We are ready to respond with food parcels for families in desperate need, but we cannot do so until the bombing stops, because it is too dangerous to move around at the moment,”
said Salwa El Tibi.
“There is not even any milk available for children,” she added. “Shortages of essential drugs for children also mean that children are not getting the health care they need.”
“Save the Children is ready up to respond as soon as the bombing ceases, but there are also constraints to the supplies we can procure once it does stop.”
Reports suggest that hundreds of homes have been destroyed or damaged, and many more have had their windows blown out, leaving families exposed to the cold. There's no glass or plastic sheeting available in the markets to repair them.
All parties must call an immediate ceasefire so that aid workers can help those in desperate need. We also call for the opening of the border crossings so that the necessary food, fuel, medical supplies and other essential commodities can enter Gaza.
Vulnerable children in Gaza need your help. Find out more about Save the Children's response to the crisis and how you can help.