The scale of the humanitarian disaster affecting more than one million people trapped in besieged Gaza was last night described as a “catastrophe”.
Of the 2.3 million who call the enclave home, 1.6 million people – mostly children, pregnant women and the elderly – are now in desperate need of urgent assistance. Humanity & Inclusion, an independent charity founded in France which has a UK branch, works in scarcely imaginable conditions of conflict, disaster and poverty in 60 countries.
But its work in Gaza has stretched the limits of its workers to breaking point as almost all have family and friends who have been killed, injured or displaced by the Hamas-Israel conflict.
The Daily Express, in a dispatch from people working for the charity on the frontline of the war zone, spoke to those battling to reach some of the most desperate and needy, all innocent victims of the escalating war.
Humanity & Inclusion UK has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to provide crucial support. Staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to get aid to the civilian population – many are sheltering in community centres and schools.
Experts are assessing the needs of those most at risk, including those with disabilities, unaccompanied children, older people and those with life-changing injuries. Teams are distributing essential supplies of crutches, wheelchairs, first aid and hygiene kits.
George Graham, Humanity & Inclusion UK’s chief executive, added his voice to the growing number calling for an immediate ceasefire so teams can reach those in a life-or-death race against time.
He said: “If aid isn’t allowed to get in, the scale of suffering and the numbers of people who will die will be unimaginable. The atrocities committed in Israel two weeks ago have triggered a chain reaction of violence that is devastating an already broken population. It was a crisis before, now it is a catastrophe.”
The charity has sent hundreds of thousands of SMS alerts to residents with advice on how to stay safe from bombing. As air strikes continue, some 60% of those injured are women and children.
Teams and volunteers are launching emergency education sessions about the risks from unexploded bombs hidden in the rubble. As soon as security conditions allow, the charity will begin providing emergency services for those injured as well as psychological support for children who have been traumatised by the violence.
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Humanity & Inclusion UK is also planning to purchase new stocks of mobility devices, first aid kits and other supplies for urgent delivery to Gaza since stocks inside the Strip are almost depleted.
A convoy of 17 aid trucks yesterday entered into Gaza from Egypt – the second shipment to the territory in the past two days – via the Rafah crossing. This consignment carried medicine, medical equipment and a limited amount of food.
Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade that cut off food, water, medicine and electricity since Hamas militants rampaged in southern Israel on October 7, killing up to 1,400 people. Those living in the enclave have been told to head south, creating a human bottleneck as the crisis worsens by the hour.
Humanity & Inclusion UK worker Sharaf Al Faqawi said: “The biggest challenge is related to North Gaza and Gaza cities, where humanitarian access is not allowed. Humanity & Inclusion and our partners’ teams are not able to assess or provide services due to bombings and inaccessible infrastructure.
“We are looking for the solidarity of British people to support Palestinians to cope, recover and build again what was destroyed. We need you to raise your voice and support the effort to end this war now.”
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