Letter from Archie Law

Late updated: 27 January 2009
 

Archie Law, Chief Executive Officer of Austcare, explains how Austcare and ActionAid are responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Many Austcare supporters will have been shocked and dismayed at the fighting in Gaza in recent weeks. More than 1,300 Palestinians and 14 Israelis died in the 22-day offensive that has left the Gaza strip in total devastation.

Thousands of people urgently need food, water, shelter and medicine – which is why Austcare and ActionAid are planning an emergency response and recovery programme in Gaza.

Austcare has an office in the West Bank with highly experienced staff in the fields of emergency humanitarian response who work with local organisations in both the West Bank and Gaza.

Our local partners plan to distribute items such as tarpaulin, mattresses and candles to people in Gaza. They will be starting cash for work programmes and carrying out protection work which includes documenting and reporting rights abuses and violations

Another priority will be to provide mental health care for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, many of whom have been left traumatised.

Austcare and ActionAid both have many years experience running successful recovery and rehabilitation programmes in conflict and post conflict situations. We respond where humanitarian need is greatest and follow international codes of conduct to ensure our impartiality.

We condemn all abuses against civilians and call on all sides in the conflict to protect and respect the rights of civilians.
 
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