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Action Against Hunger joins 62 NGOs calling on MPs to support the motion for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza

The charity joins a coalition of 62 NGOs urging MPs to support the motion for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. In Gaza, at least 28,576 Palestinians have been killed, while thousands remain missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings. 

By Action Against Hunger

21 February 2024

As humanitarian, human rights and campaigning agencies, many of us with teams operating in Gaza and the West Bank, we are writing to draw your urgent attention to the critical situation in Gaza. As you may be aware, there will be a vote tomorrow (Wednesday 21 February 2024) in the House of Commons regarding this matter. We, along with 71% of the UK public, urge you to support the motion for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to benefit everyone in Israel and Palestine, facilitate the provision of adequate humanitarian assistance, and the release of hostages, and curtail the risk of regional conflict amid multiple strikes in several countries. 

In Gaza, the ongoing conflict has resulted in unfathomable death and destruction. At least 28,576Palestinians have been killed, while thousands remain missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings. 

The humanitarian situation is dire. For 135 days, the UN and NGOs have warned of a shortage of medical supplies and clean water, overcrowded shelters, widespread food insecurity, and a collapsing healthcare system and spread of diseases among the displaced civilians, resulting in catastrophic health indicators and urgent humanitarian needs. Nearly every child is at imminent riskof starvation and malnutrition, women resort to using scraps of tent in place of period products and go weeks without showering, and surgeons are operating on patients without sufficient anaesthesia. Unexploded ordnance resulting from the bombardment poses a serious risk both to civilians and humanitarian aid workers. 

Humanitarian response agencies need to not only restore but significantly scale up the delivery of vital health, education, mental health, protection, and livelihoods services. This includes vital programming to support the unique and urgent needs of women and men, boys and girls, mainstreaming inclusion of people with disabilities, older people, and others disproportionately affected by the crisis. This is not possible under bombardment.We need a lasting ceasefire, not ‘pauses’. Without a lasting ceasefire, humanitarian organisations cannot re-establish principled operations on the necessary scale, and there will be further loss of life.

It is imperative that the UK Government takes immediate action to support an immediate and permanent ceasefire, for which there is growing international consensus. The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law. 

An immediate and permanent ceasefire will halt the cycle of violence, facilitate the release of all hostages, allow for the restoration of essential services, allow for international humanitarian assistance to reach those in need, and provide an opportunity for dialogue and negotiation towards a lasting peace that benefits everyone in the region.

We cannot afford to delay any longer. Private diplomacy and cautious statements are not enough – stronger action and accountability needs to be applied or the humanitarian catastrophe will likely surpass even the horrors we have seen over the last four months. 

We urge you to support the motion for an immediate ceasefire.  

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to your support and swift action.  

Signed:

  1. Action Against Hunger  
  2. Action For Humanity   
  3. ActionAid UK  
  4. Age International  
  5. Amnesty International UK 
  6. Amos Trust 
  7. Bond  
  8. Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) 
  9. CAFOD  
  10. CARE International UK  
  11. Christian Aid  
  12. Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK)
  13. Convivencia Alliance  
  14. Development Initiatives
  15. Elrha
  16. Embrace the Middle East  
  17. European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect  
  18. Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS)  
  19. Greenpeace UK   
  20. Humanity & Inclusion UK  
  21. Inminds Human Rights Group  
  22. International Alert  
  23. International Health Partners (IHP)  
  24. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
  25. International Rescue Committee UK
  26. Islamic Relief UK  
  27. Jewish Network for Palestine  
  28. Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights  
  29. Mercy Corps  
  30. Mines Advisory Group (MAG)  
  31. Minority Rights Group  
  32. Muslim Aid  
  33. Muslim Community Helpline  
  34. Muslim Hands   
  35. Na’amod  
  36. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) 
  37. Omega Research Foundation
  38. Oxfam GB  
  39. Peace Direct  
  40. Peacemaker Trust  
  41. Penny Appeal 
  42. Plan International UK  
  43. Protection Approaches  
  44. Quakers in Britain  
  45. Resistance Kitchen  
  46. Sabeel-Kairos UK  
  47. Saferworld  
  48. Save the Children UK  
  49. Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)
  50. Scotland’s International Development Alliance   
  51. Stamp Out Poverty  
  52. Tearfund  
  53. Trócaire  
  54. The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) 
  55. UK-Palestine Mental Health Network   
  56. United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK)  
  57. War Child  
  58. War on Want  
  59. Welfare Association  
  60. Womankind Worldwide  
  61. Women for Women International  
  62. Women’s Platform

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