As the crisis in Gaza deepens, Caritas Australia is intensifying its call for urgent humanitarian access and the protection of civilians. The scale of suffering unfolding daily is almost impossible to comprehend — but our message remains clear: impartial aid must be allowed in, and the human dignity of every person in Gaza must be upheld. 

At the heart of our work is a fundamental belief in the sanctity of life and the principles of humanitarian action.  

These principles have been strongly voiced by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV who said during his first general audience “I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, the heartbreaking price of which is paid by children, the elderly, the sick." 

That is why Caritas Australia, alongside our partners and the wider Caritas Internationalis network, continues to advocate fiercely for the immediate delivery of life-saving assistance and for long-term solutions rooted in justice and peace. 

Our Response: Standing with the People of Gaza 

While access on the ground remains extremely restricted, Caritas partners are working in extraordinary conditions to respond to urgent needs. With decades of experience operating in the region, local Caritas teams are helping provide critical supplies — including food, hygiene items, medical support, and trauma care — to those most affected. 

These efforts are made possible by partnerships with trusted local organisations, many of whom are part of the Caritas network, who know the communities they serve and understand how best to meet their needs. Even amid extreme danger and dwindling resources, they are providing hope — and saving lives. 

Caritas Australia is also playing a crucial role in mobilising Australian public support and international advocacy. In partnership with Catholic Religious Australia, we have issued repeated calls to both the Australian Government and the broader international community to uphold international humanitarian law and prevent further atrocities. 

What’s at Stake: Impartial Aid and Civilian Protection 

Right now, two developments threaten to make an already catastrophic situation worse. 

The first is a growing push to privatise the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. This deeply concerning proposal would undermine the independence and neutrality that are the cornerstone of effective aid. Humanitarian organisations like Caritas exist precisely to serve civilians — not political or military agendas. Shifting that responsibility to private actors or those aligned with conflict parties risks creating aid systems driven by profit or politics, not human need. 

The second issue is the increasing discussion of “voluntary displacement” — a term being used to describe the potential mass relocation of Gaza’s population. In reality, any movement of civilians under the current conditions is neither voluntary nor safe. Displacement, when it happens under duress, violates international law, and often leads to long-term suffering, especially for children and vulnerable groups. 

Caritas Australia is calling for a rejection of both these proposals. What Gaza needs is not an exit plan for its people or a new model for outsourced aid — it needs immediate, unhindered access to humanitarian support and a pathway to peace.