Press Release: Gaza - INGOs fear imminent collapse of humanitarian system
INGOs express deep concern over the imminent collapse of humanitarian aid in Gaza, as forced displacement orders and severe operational restrictions push civilians and aid workers into an increasingly unsafe and shrinking area. DRC joins 29 INGOs in calling for immediate international action to protect lives and ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential aid.
Posted on 28 Aug 2024
INGOs have expressed severe concern today over the imminent collapse of the humanitarian response in Gaza, which would leave millions of civilians without aid.
The issuance of 16 orders by Israeli authorities forcing displacement in August, ongoing severe limits to what aid is allowed into Gaza, and operational restrictions are all cited as key concerns by 30 INGOs operational in Gaza who published a report on access constraints.
The forced displacement orders are pushing civilians and humanitarians into an ever-shrinking area - unilaterally declared by Israeli authorities as a “humanitarian zone” which is now less than 40km² – where they remain unsafe from the military operations. More than 250,000 people have been displaced in August alone as well as more than 24 NGOs with staff, offices, guesthouses or warehouses all affected.
These new restrictions come at a time when the humanitarian response is already critically impeded, with July marking the lowest amount of food assistance entering Gaza since the start of the military offensive more than 10 months ago.
Israel is demanding civilians move into an ever-shrinking area of Gaza which offers them no safety from the war. In addition, NGOs are facing huge obstacles to delivering aid, with staff continuously displaced and no safe way to operate. If this continues on its current trajectory, it will severely impede aid operations to the point where delivering essential aid to civilians in Gaza will become impossible.
There is no way to protect civilians and no way to mitigate risk to our staff. A ceasefire is the only option to ensure safety of civilians, safety of staff, and to ensure aid reaches the millions of people in dire need in Gaza.
/ Oday Karsh, General Director, REFORM
The increasing restrictions on INGOs include:
There are no effective measures to protect humanitarian workers in Gaza and instead INGOs are taking an unprecedented level of risk to deliver aid. There are no viable risk mitigations available to humanitarian actors. The two safety provisions in place by Israeli authorities—the so-called "humanitarian zone," which lacks legal underpinning and provides no safety due to repeated attacks within this zone, and the humanitarian notification system, which also fails to offer any real protection due to the repeated targeting of deconflicted sites, including INGO premises—are ineffective.
Israeli authorities have imposed a grid system onto Gaza, dividing the Strip into blocks. Numerous blocks that recently received forced displacement orders encroach into the middle of the “humanitarian zone” raising concerns that the zone may be split into two separate areas which would further cut off communities from vital aid.
When issuing forced displacement orders, the Israeli forces make clear that extensive ground operations will follow in those areas. This leaves humanitarian organisations with no choice but to continually move and shrink their operational area, making it impossible to respond and meet rising needs.
Severe limitations on items allowed into Gaza hinder the distribution of necessities to civilians and increase risks for humanitarian aid workers. Israeli authorities have banned a wide range of items from entering Gaza due to their potential dual use for military operations, including diapers and antibiotics.
Humanitarian efforts in Gaza are stretched to the breaking point, leaving thousands without basic services. No place is safe, as people live in constant fear of forced displacements and new attacks. We must protect civilian areas and ensure the safety of aid workers so they can continue to provide essential relief to those in desperate need. It’s time to act and show that humanity is not dead.
/ Camilla Dogliotti, HI Country Manager
Note to Editor
Since December, Israeli authorities have declared a 'humanitarian zone' in an area where repeated forced displacement orders have led to an increasing population density, even as the zone itself continues to shrink.
This zone has been repeatedly targeted and offers no tangible safety for civilians or humanitarians.
The undesigning INGOs urge the international community to take action to ensure an immediate and lasting ceasefire is reached to protect civilians and ensure life-saving aid can reach all civilians in need, without compromising the safety of humanitarian staff.
