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FROM THE FIELD

World Vision repeats call to immediately stop all Gaza violence
29 Dec 2008 20:35:23 GMT
 Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
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About 55 percent of children aged 5-11 in Gaza suffer from bedwetting, and nightmares and 45% believe that their fathers cannot support and protect them. Worse still, 7% contemplate death. (UN2006)
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About 55 percent of children aged 5-11 in Gaza suffer from bedwetting, and nightmares and 45% believe that their fathers cannot support and protect them. Worse still, 7% contemplate death. (UN2006)
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org

Background

•  Israeli-Palestinian conflict

•  Children

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As the casualties in the Gaza strip increase by the hour and official figures now state the tragic numbers of 370 killed and 1,400 wounded, the international aid agency World Vision is continuing to call for a cessation in the violence and a return to an environment conducive for children. At the same time, it is assessing the needs of the population in the areas of Gaza where it works, and hoping for a respite in the violence and an improved humanitarian environment in order to respond to meet those needs.

World Vision's immediate focus is advocacy. 'Whatever the cause of the conflict, we are advocating for a complete cessation of violence and for the protection of civilians, especially children' says Allyn Dhynes, Advocacy Manager of World Vision's office in Jerusalem. In a desperate attempt to stop the attack and avoid a 'humanitarian catastrophe", World Vision and other leading NGOs issued a clear statement while the Israeli army commenced its attacks.

'We utterly condemn Hamas's rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, 'Dhynes states, 'but we cannot justify this overwhelming military action by the Israelis which is killing and injuring many innocent civilians'.

'As soon as the dust settles, literally, we will pick up the pieces and rebuild the work we started successfully in this area years ago', shared National Director for World Vision in Jerusalem Charles Clayton. The number of casualties has completely overwhelmed the limited health services, which had already been starved of essential surgical supplies by the 18-month Israeli blockade against the import of goods including most humanitarian supplies. The recent strikes have also caused severe damage to the civilian infrastructure with many areas now without water, electricity or sanitation.

World Vision's main concern is for the ordinary families and especially vulnerable people such as the elderly, the sick and young children. In the overcrowded conditions, there is no way that anyone can escape such attacks. The entire population of 1.5 million people is trapped in the Gaza Strip and many are vulnerable. About 50,000 people, most of them extremely poor, are in the areas of two Area Development programmes in Beit Lahia and Rafah. According to World Vision staff, the work has been quite successful so far, gradually meeting the deepest needs and beginning to build up long-term sustainability.

Psycho-social care, educational support and recreational activities for children are at the core of World Vision's work there. Some 2,500 child sponsors from Australia and the US are funding these programmes for Palestinian children. 'The recent violence will be a set-back, and as yet we don't know if any of our beneficiaries are among the dead or wounded, says Charles Clayton, National Director of World Vision's office in Jerusalem


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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•  Children

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Emergencies

•  Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Members

•  World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

Background information

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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators wave flags during a protest against Israel's air strikes on Gaza, near the Israeli embassy in London December 29, 2008. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN) ...


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Last updated:Mon Dec 29 21:02:42 2008