Thousands are desitute in Gaza and the West Bank

SCIAF – the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland – has today launched an emergency appeal to deliver aid to the starving people of Gaza and the West Bank.

It follows the signing a long-awaited ceasefire between Hamas and Israel at the weekend. 

After 15 months of brutal war, Palestinians are on the brink of famine and in need of urgent medical supplies and assistance. 

Lorraine Currie, SCIAF’s chief executive said: “This ceasefire is the news we’ve been waiting and praying 15 long months for. This war has killed over 46,000 people in Gaza and around 1,700 Israelis and all but decimated the entire infrastructure of the Gaza strip. 

“As we’ve said before, Palestinians have been starved, with the vast majority of much-needed humanitarian assistance blocked from reaching them for well over a year now. Hospitals have been raised to the ground and people’s homes and livelihoods decimated. Families too have been ripped apart. 

“This welcome ceasefire gives us the chance to get aid in - and without delay. We also welcome the beginning of the release of Israeli hostages, back to the embrace of their families and hope this process continues.  

“As the conflict has unfolded, SCIAF has been able to help – through partners – but only in a limited way. But now, with humanitarian corridors opening up, we can scale up our aid operations. SCIAF is part of the trusted, world-wide Caritas organisation and can therefore reach out immediately with financial aid to those in need. 

“We know how generous the Scottish people are and how deeply they care for others in need. Please help us now reach out to those who have experienced unimaginable fear and suffering because of this brutal war.”