The Norwegian Refugee Council and 15 other aid organizations just released a statement: “Israel’s siege now blocks 83 percent of food aid reaching Gaza, new data reveals.”
They “demand international pressure for an immediate ceasefire, arms embargo, and end to Israel’s systematic aid obstruction.”
The groups stated: “New data has revealed the scale of aid obstruction, and the consequential drastic fall in aid entering Gaza. This is driving a humanitarian disaster, with the entire population of Gaza facing hunger and disease, and almost half a million at risk of starvation.
“While Israeli military attacks on Gaza intensify, lifesaving food, medicine, medical supplies, fuel, and tents have been systematically blocked from entering for almost a year.” See full statement for details.
Other groups include: CARE International, Save the Children, ActionAid, Christian Aid, War Child, Islamic Relief, HelpAge International, American Friends Service Committee and Oxfam.
The groups continue: “Ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York this week, aid agencies are calling on governments to demand Israel end aid obstruction and to:
* “Secure an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
* “Implement an arms embargo and end the export of weapons and military equipment that risk being used in violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.
* “Demand compliance with the International Court of Justice’s findings and recommendations, an end to the Israeli government’s siege of Gaza, and heed the call of the ICJ in its advisory opinion to end the occupation of Palestinian territory.”
Contact:
NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, @nrc_norway
Ahmed Bayram, Middle East Media Adviser, in Amman: ahmed.bayram@nrc.no
