Caritas Australia has commended the Australian government for providing an extra $11m in humanitarian aid to support civilians in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire.
Between at 18th and 23rd of March 792 Palestinians have been killed alongside 8 aid workers, with 142,000 Palestinians also having been displaced during this time
The latest reports from Caritas partners state that “in Gaza, thousands of innocent lives have been lost, and entire communities lie in ruin. The most vulnerable - children, the elderly, and the sick - are enduring unimaginable hardship.”
In response to this Caritas Australia’s partners on the ground are focussed on the provision of emergency health services, psychosocial support, and the distribution of food, water, clothing, hygiene items, and shelter supplies.
Medical support includes the deployment of medical teams to provide urgent care, as well as the rehabilitation of medical centres to provide better long-term care, and prosthetic support for those who have lost limbs due to the conflict. Mental health support is also being delivered through group and individual sessions, as well as services specifically designed for children that include art, music, and play therapy.
Sally Thomas, Humanitarian Manager at Caritas Australia said, “We are incredibly proud of the continuous dedication of our partners in Gaza. Many of them were displaced from the north of Gaza in the early days of this conflict, and during the short-lived ceasefire returned to find their homes damaged or destroyed.”
“Despite this, we have been told that the opportunity to reunite with colleagues during the ceasefire has only strengthened the resilience of those working on the ground and reinforced their commitment to serving their communities. Here in Australia, we must hold their dedication in our hearts while praying for the wellbeing of the vulnerable people they serve. Those wanting to support their work can do so via our Gaza Crisis Appeal.”
