Paul KeenanNeeds increasing day by day
Caritas Internationalis, the Church’s international aid agency, has launched a drive to raise nearly €1.5 million in emergency aid for the citizens of Gaza.
“The Catholic Church of Jesus Christ cannot remain silent, we cannot stand aside and do nothing,” was the message delivered by Fr Raed Abusahlia, director of Caritas Jerusalem as he unveiled the organisation’s drive to gain funds for badly needed supplies for Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals and for ordinary citizens who are caught between warring sides in the current conflict and who will ultimately have to rebuild when a ceasefire is gained.
“We decided to intervene quickly because needs of Gazans in the conflict are increasing day by day,” Fr Abushalia explained as he listed the need for electricity generators and food parcels. “We see that damage and destruction are everywhere in the Gaza Strip. Our urgent intervention is needed in this humanitarian crisis.”
The Caritas plan in the short term will see 2,000 families receive food parcels and 500 families will be given blankets.
Cyclical violence
Projecting forward three months, Caritas aims to provide cash assistance to 2,000 families and hygiene kits to 3,000 more. Medical help for children, including psychological support, will also be provided at that time.
The Caritas announcement came at the end of last week as a UN school sheltering Gazan families suffered a devastating attack, leaving 15 dead and leading to chaotic scenes on television screens internationally as the injured, including young children, arrived at hospital. Both sides in the conflict have blamed the other for the attack.
In Ireland, meanwhile, Caritas partner Trócaire told The Irish Catholic this week that it is already working to respond to the Gaza situation.
Calling for an immediate ceasefire in order to allow aid to immediately reach those in need, Trócaire’s executive director, Eamonn Meehan, said: “The sort of cyclical violence that we have seen over recent days will only lead to a continuation of the situation whereby millions of Israelis live in daily fear of rocket attack and millions of Palestinians are impoverished and live without hope.
“Making meaningful efforts towards ending violence and building peace will do far more to ensure security and safety for Israel’s citizens.
“As His Holiness Pope Francis stated on his recent visit to the Holy Land, there is a need to create a stable peace based on justice, the recognition of the rights of every individual, and on mutual security.”