Vancouver: Canada along with other countries have expressed serious concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza as they say, it remains catastrophic.
In the online statement , released from Global Affairs Canada along with Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, have called on the Government of Israel to take urgent steps including ensure that international NGOs are able to operate in Gaza in a sustained and predictable way, allow the UN and its partners to continue their work, lift unreasonable restrictions on imports considered to have a dual use and open crossings and boost the flows of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
All have expressed fears that as December 31 approaches, many established NGO partners are at risk of being deregistered because of the Government of Israel’s new restrictive requirements.
“Deregistration could result in the forced closure of NGO operations within 60 days in Gaza and the West Bank. This would have a severe impact on access to essential services, including health care. One in three health care facilities in Gaza will close if NGO operations are stopped. NGOs are integral to the humanitarian response and, working with the UN and Palestinian organizations, collectively deliver approximately $1 billion in aid across Palestine each year.” reads the statement.
All have also demanded that it is essential to ensure the impartial, neutral and independent delivery of aid throughout the whole of Gaza. This includes United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which provides essential services, such as health care and education, to millions of Palestinian refugees.
All have welcomed the partial opening of the Allenby crossing, but they have alleged bureaucratic customs processes and extensive screenings are causing delays, while commercial cargo is being allowed in more freely. The target of 4,200 trucks per week, including an allocation of 250 UN trucks per day, should be a floor, not a ceiling.
“These targets should be lifted so we can sure the vital supplies are getting in at the vast scale.” Reads the statement.