A SCOTTISH charity has launched an urgent appeal to provide lifeline humanitarian help to Palestinians affected by 11 days of devastation.
A ceasefire is underway between Israel and Palestine after fighting which cost more than 250 lives. Most of those killed were from Gaza where the destruction wrought by Israeli rockets is expected to take years to repair. Around 1000 homes have been destroyed there and local housing leaders say another 1800 residences are now unfit to live in. Humanitarian aid has begun to reach Gaza, but Unrwa, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, says tens of thousands of displaced people are in need.
Today the Scottish International Aid Fund (Sciaf) is launching its own urgent appeal to provide “much-needed” humanitarian relief for Palestinians. It is working with Caritas Jerusalem, which provides essential services to the poor population in Gaza.
Sciaf is sending £30,000 to help reach the most vulnerable, but says “much more is urgently needed”. Money raised will provide medical care, psychological support, food, and other essential items to people “traumatised by years of restrictions and violence”.
Sister Bridget Tighe, FMDM secretary general of Caritas Jerusalem said: “The bombings have been extremely heavy. The people of Gaza have lived through many wars over many years, but everyone agrees that this time it is completely different. They have been trapped in this densely populated strip of land at the mercy of intense air bombardment with nowhere to flee for safety.”
Gaza has been under a total land, air and sea blockade for more than 14 years. Many families are unable to leave the danger behind or seek refuge in safer lands and are forced to find limited shelter wherever they can.
Alistair Dutton (above), Sciaf director, commented: “Even before this wave of conflict, Palestinians were living in extreme hardship with more than half of the population of Gaza struggling to feed themselves and over two thirds in need of humanitarian assistance.
“The UN has also stated that as much as 90% of water available in Gaza is unsafe.”
He continued: “Life for Palestinians has become much harder and it will take decades for families to recover.
“We urge people in Scotland to once again do whatever they can to provide essential aid to Palestinians whose lives have been torn apart.”
Crowds gathered in City Square, Dundee, yesterday to show solidarity with Palestine. Similar demonstrations took place last week in Aberdeen and Glasgow.
For more information on Sciaf’s Gaza emergency appeal, visit www.sciaf.org.uk
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