Australia’s leading humanitarian agencies have today called for a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East to allow over three million people unrestricted access to humanitarian relief as a result of the deteriorating situation in Lebanon, Gaza Strip and Israel.

‘We are calling on all sides to immediately allow humanitarian aid agencies unfettered access to hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in desperate need of the basics for life such as food, water, shelter and medical assistance,’ said a spokesperson for the group that includes AngliCORD, AUSTCARE,  Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid Australia, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, Churches of Christ, National Council of Churches Australia, Oxfam Australia and World Vision Australia.

The group called for all parties to immediately recognise their obligations in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and to distinguish between civilians and combatants as well as to refrain from attacks that cause disproportionate harm to the civilian population.  The current conflict has killed over 600 people in Lebanon, more than 50 in Israel and 150 in Gaza.  Around one third of all casualties are children.

In Lebanon, up to 1 million people are reported to have fled their homes.  In Israel, tens of thousands of families have also been affected.  In the Gaza Strip, the total population of up to 1.3 million Palestinians is faced with major disruptions to the most basic services, including water, power, access to food and health care.

In the affected region, Australian humanitarian agencies are working on the ground and through local partners to provide immediate relief including shelter, food, water and medical services.

Details for humanitarian agencies accepting donations to assist the people affected by the conflict in the Middle East can be found at the website of the Australian Council for International Development – www.acfid.asn.au

AngliCORD                     Aust Lutheran World Service              Baptist World Aid Aust
Greg Thompson              Peter Schirmer                                 Les Fussell
Mob: 0438 823 511         Tel: 02 6021 5329                             Mob: 0402 112 411

CARE Australia               Caritas Australia                               Churches of Christ
Lynne  Minion                 Tim O’Connor                                   Peter Overton
Mob: 0419 567 777         Mob: 0417 284 831                           Mob: 0418 980 065

                                     NCCA Christian World Service           Oxfam Australia
                                     Alistair Gee                                      Ian Woolverton
                                     Mob: 0417 672 650                           Mob: 0409 181 454
 
                                     World Vision Australia                       AUSTCARE
                                     Michelle Rice                                    Shelby Burns
                                     Mob: 0402 503 227                           Tel: 02 95659106