CRS Poised to Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

By Liz O'Neill

Despite the cease-fire announced between Israel and Hamas, Catholic Relief Services has not yet been permitted unfettered access into Gaza to assess the needs of tens of thousands of people displaced by the fighting—and to begin the distribution of much-needed humanitarian aid.

Truck with CRS goods

Trucks loaded with CRS goods are readied to enter Gaza. Photo by CRS staff

With a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development and $100,000 from our American donors, CRS has purchased canned food, hygiene items, blankets, candles and other essentials for 1,500 war-affected families in Gaza.

Matt Davis, CRS country representative for CRS' Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza program, is optimistic, though, that security and access will improve within the coming days. "CRS has purchased and positioned food and [other essentials] in our Bethlehem warehouses and expects to have them in Gaza within the coming days. CRS staff has been able to access our office in Gaza City since the cease-fire and can better coordinate our relief activities with our local partner network of community-based organizations. Regardless of the precarious security situation, our local partners were able to distribute 5,000 meters of plastic sheeting, to cover blown-out windows in homes, during the past week."

According to the United Nations, 1,300 Palestinians were killed during the conflict and more than 5,000 Palestinians were injured. Thirteen Israelis also lost their lives.

CRS' regular programs in Gaza are temporarily on hold because our staff and partners were largely confined to their homes as a result of the fighting. Once conditions permit, CRS will resume programs that give impoverished women jobs, train youth in nonviolence and conflict resolution, distribute food, and provide psychosocial counseling for traumatized women and children.

CRS has worked in the Holy Land for nearly half a century. CRS aims to support peace with justice for all people in this troubled region, while responding to the humanitarian needs of Palestinians.

Liz O'Neill is CRS' communications officer for Europe, the Middle East and Asia. She is based at the agency's headquarters in Baltimore.