Joint Media Release from

NCCA Christian World Service, Caritas Australia, Uniting Church Overseas Aid and AngliCORD

Australian Church Aid Agencies Provide Humanitarian Assistance in the Middle East

International aid and development agencies of Australian churches are working together to assist the civilians caught up in the Middle East conflict.  AngliCORD, Caritas Australia, NCCA Christian World Service and Uniting Church Overseas Aid are working through ACT International, Caritas Internationalis and partners on the ground to provide food, water and medical supplies in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. 
The church agencies have made an urgent call for additional funds to support this work.
To make a tax deductible contribution or for further details:

AngliCORD                                            1800 249 880                 www.anglicord.org.au

Caritas Australia                                      1800 024 413                 www.caritas.org.au

NCCA Christian World Service               1800 025 101                 http://www.actforpeace.org.au 

Uniting Church Overseas Aid                   1800 998 122                 www.overseasaid.org

BACKGROUND

The worsening humanitarian crisis is a result of numerous attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure by Hezbollah, the Israeli Defence Force and Palestinian militants.  In many instances these attacks constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.   
The humanitarian situation is most critical in Gaza after attacks destroyed Gaza’s only electricity station and other infrastructure.  The UN describes the situation in Gaza as the worst that the area has seen in recent decades.  Our partners on the ground testify to the growing humanitarian crisis.
The agencies are hopeful of a ceasefire resulting from negotiations with the UN delegation and support the UN Stabilisation Force proposed by the UN Secretary General.  In the meantime, the governments involved must do more to end serious violations of humanitarian law.  Six church agencies have, therefore, written open letters today to the Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese Ambassadors in Australia asking that their governments honour their obligations under international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolutions and work towards an end to hostilities. 

For media comment:

Alistair Gee (Director, NCCA Christian World Service):                 0417 672 650

Greg Thompson (CEO, AngliCORD):                                            0438 826 511

Copies of the letters to the Ambassadors are available online (click here) or by request.