Workers risk lives to deliver life-saving aid
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and other members of The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) have expressed their horror and condemnation over the recent killing of staff of the World Central Kitchen in Gaza during an Israeli airstrike.
In a statement, released on 3 April, the AIDA partners write: “This tragic incident represents yet another failure by Israeli authorities to protect humanitarian workers,” who are risking “their lives to deliver much-needed services in Gaza.”
According to reports from UN agencies, famine is imminent in Gaza, unless there is a pause in the fighting and aid is increased.
AIDA members, along with humanitarian organizations and the international community, “call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza" and "urge Israel to open all border crossings and lift all restrictions preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid at scale, to allow the safe delivery of aid throughout Gaza, to allow secure and unfettered aid movements, and lastly, to protect humanitarian workers and refrain from targeting them.”
“It is urgent that humanitarian aid increases to prevent famine and disease,” said Ms. Caroline Tveoy, LWF Head of International Programs. “Border and access restrictions must be lifted by Israel to guarantee safe delivery of humanitarian aid at scale throughout Gaza and decisions by UN bodies must be fully implemented.
