Source: Save the Children
As Parliament adjourns and New Zealand “shuts down” for the holidays, the New Zealand humanitarian community is issuing an urgent plea to our political leaders: do not forget the children of Gaza at Christmas time.
“As we gather with our own children or grandchildren for beach barbeques, one child in Gaza is killed every 10 minutes.[1] As we rest safely in our homes, nearly two million people have been forced to flee theirs with no safe place to go.[2] Nearly 19,000 people have been killed and 51,000 injured.[3] They are not just statistics – they are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons and babies,” says Ian McInnes, CEO of Tearfund New Zealand.
With access to Gaza heavily restricted, aid agencies have been rendered powerless at a time when children risk dying not only from bombings, but of dehydration and starvation, and as the accumulation of human waste transforms Gaza’s streets into a breeding ground for cholera and disease.[4]
“For millions of children in Gaza, Israel and across the region, there is only terror now. Fear of being killed by rockets, missiles or bullets, fear that food or water will run out. We fear the world has lost sight of its responsibility to ensure that the most fundamental rights of all children are respected. We are far past the point of condolences and polite pleas; our politicians must do more,” says Grant Bayldon, CEO of World Vision New Zealand.
Since the conflict began over two months ago, New Zealand humanitarian organisations have been united in urging the New Zealand Government to show global leadership and express New Zealand’s stance firmly in the global arena.
The humanitarian community comm
As Parliament adjourns and New Zealand “shuts down” for the holidays, the New Zealand humanitarian community is issuing an urgent plea to our political leaders: do not forget the children of Gaza at Christmas time.
“As we gather with our own children or grandchildren for beach barbeques, one child in Gaza is killed every 10 minutes.[1] As we rest safely in our homes, nearly two million people have been forced to flee theirs with no safe place to go.[2] Nearly 19,000 people have been killed and 51,000 injured.[3] They are not just statistics – they are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons and babies,” says Ian McInnes, CEO of Tearfund New Zealand.
With access to Gaza heavily restricted, aid agencies have been rendered powerless at a time when children risk dying not only from bombings, but of dehydration and starvation, and as the accumulation of human waste transforms Gaza’s streets into a breeding ground for cholera and disease.[4]
“For millions of children in Gaza, Israel and across the region, there is only terror now. Fear of being killed by rockets, missiles or bullets, fear that food or water will run out. We fear the world has lost sight of its responsibility to ensure that the most fundamental rights of all children are respected. We are far past the point of condolences and polite pleas; our politicians must do more,” says Grant Bayldon, CEO of World Vision New Zealand.
Since the conflict began over two months ago, New Zealand humanitarian organisations have been united in urging the New Zealand Government to show global leadership and express New Zealand’s stance firmly in the global arena.
The humanitarian community comm
