A coalition of UK organisations and charities unite to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire outside Parliament

18 December 2023

A coalition of international NGOs (Action Against Hunger, Action for Humanity, ActionAid UK, Care International, Christian Aid, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief UK, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), Mercy Corps, Oxfam, Plan International UK, Save the Children) are uniting to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, to end the appalling suffering of people in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.

Representatives from the humanitarian charities will hold giant, lit letters spelling out CEASEFIRE NOW with Parliament behind, for a film and photo opportunity. Spokespeople will be available for interview.

Participants will gather to share harrowing testimonies from our teams and partners caught under bombardment in Gaza.

The Ceasefire Now campaign has seen over 3 million people around the world call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire. Without one, it is virtually impossible to reach over 2 million people who are trapped in Gaza without access to clean water, food, healthcare, proper shelter and sanitation. Conditions are apocalyptic and are worsening by the hour.

As humanitarian organisations, without a lasting ceasefire it is impossible for us to deliver the aid at the scale that is so desperately needed by a population that is on its knees in Gaza. We are gravely concerned about Israel’s ‘total siege’ on essential resources like fuel and water, and restricted entry points for humanitarian organisations to provide vital assistance and services.

The conduct of hostilities so far has wreaked havoc on the needs, rights and lives of the entire civilian population. The politicisation of humanitarian assistance is severely limiting our ability to reach people in Gaza with medical care, sanitation services, and lifesaving aid, increasing needless suffering for already overwhelmed, displaced and grieving families. Only a lasting ceasefire can prevent further suffering and enable agencies like ours to address the immense scope and scale of this crisis.

Othman Moqbel, CEO of Action For Humanity – International, said:

This has gone on for far too long. The international community cannot continue to stand idly by and ignore this inhumane suffering. People are trapped in Gaza – starving, displaced, injured and traumatised. Families of hostages are also enduring a nightmare as they wait for their release.

“On behalf of all the charities involved, we implore the UK government and others around the world, to push for an immediate, permanent ceasefire now. More lives are being needlessly lost for every minute that the violence is allowed to continue.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK, said:

I'm deeply troubled by the catastrophic situation in Gaza, where indiscriminate killing and destruction are occurring at a horrific speed and scale. The impact on civilians, especially children, is devastating, with relentless attacks and the destruction of homes, places of worship, hospitals, and schools. No place in Gaza is safe anymore.

“We at Islamic Relief urgently call on the UK government and the international community to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire. This is critical to prevent further loss of life and ensure safe delivery of essential aid. The situation has reached a breaking point, and it cannot be allowed to continue. Enough is enough.”

Helen McEachern, CEO of CARE International UK said:

As humanitarian organisations, without a lasting ceasefire in this context it is nigh on impossible for us to deliver the aid at the enormous scale that is so desperately needed by a population that is on its knees in Gaza. Without this, the suffering will only grow for people in Gaza, West Bank and Israel.

Halima Begum, CEO of ActionAid UK, said:

We are running out of words to describe the depth of the horror people in Gaza are facing. And the situation is getting worse by the hour. As aid operations are now near impossible and winter arrives, those who haven’t been killed by the bombing may soon die from starvation, illness or the cold.

“The scale of the humanitarian need is immense. It frightens us that we are unable to provide support to those who need it most.

“An immediate and permanent ceasefire is the only way to stop hundreds more lives being lost each day, and the only way that enough life-saving aid will be able to enter Gaza and reach those in desperate need.”

Osai Ojigho, Director of Policy and Public Campaigns at Christian Aid said:

We cannot stand by whilst the Israeli government’s relentless bombardment continues to create untold destruction and trauma for the people of Gaza. Only a permanent ceasefire will stop the killing, secure the release of hostages and allow a full response to this humanitarian catastrophe.”

Rose Caldwell, Chief Executive of Plan International UK, said:

The children of Gaza are facing unimaginable horrors on a daily basis. They are hungry, terrified, and sheltering wherever they can, with no part of Gaza safe for them and their families.

“This unbearable tragedy must end now. A full and immediate ceasefire is the only way to protect the children of Gaza and ensure the distribution of life-saving aid such as clean water, food, fuel, and medicines. With winter setting in and the growing threat of disease, time is quickly running out. We urge the UK Government to support a full ceasefire with immediate effect.”

ENDS

For more information and to confirm attendance, please contact:

Jake Marais, Action For Humanity – International: [email protected] / 07597 486 270

Jack Seal, Action Against Hunger UK: [email protected],uk / 07801794543

Shazia Arshad, Islamic Relief UK: [email protected] / 07710389316

Isabella Cipirska, ActionAid UK: [email protected] / 07753 973 486.

Savannah Matheson, International Rescue Committee UK [email protected] / 07557 948 063

Janet Knight, Plan UK [email protected]

George Ayres, Plan UK [email protected]