Another emergency fund appeal has been launched for Gaza in the wake of mounting civilian casualties and internal displacement caused by Israel's to response Hamas' rocket attacks.
The Israeli response to Hamas militants lacked any sense of proportion and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were facing a large-scale humanitarian crisis, Tear Fund executive director Stephen Tollestrup said today.
"Much of the civic and municipal infrastructure of the strip has been destroyed and essential resources such as water, medicine, fuel, clothing, emergency rations and shelter are needed immediately."
The appeal, working through Tear Fund's non-militant Christian partners, will give special attention to children and the aged caught in the conflict.
Meanwhile, aid organisation World Vision New Zealand was already taking donations as part of a global partnership effort to provide emergency assistance to 50,000 of the most affected people in Gaza.
World Vision internationally is aiming to raise $1.72 million to provide food parcels, blankets and other basic supplies to vulnerable families as soon as the situation in Gaza permits.
"Our priority now is to assist those who are living in intolerable conditions with limited access to food, water or medical facilities," World Vision's national director for Jerusalem-West Bank-Gaza, Charles Clayton said.
"Eighty percent of the people in Gaza are already dependent on food aid, and even those who had relied on a meagre daily income now find that it is no longer available."
Israel unleashed a massive bombardment following the end of a six-month ceasefire on December 19, aimed at weakening Hamas and in response to persistent rocket fire from the enclave.
Israeli rockets have targeted government buildings, mosques, universities, police stations and other civilian buildings in the deadliest conflict in Gaza in four decades.
