MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (Jan. 19, 2009)— Children in Gaza are still at risk as long as humanitarian access is restricted and insecurity continues, despite the long-awaited ceasefire announced over the weekend, says World Vision.

“These announcements alone do not guarantee the safety and protection of children and civilians in Gaza or southern Israel,” said Charles Clayton, National Director of World Vision Jerusalem-West Bank-Gaza, urging world leaders to take seriously their responsibility to protect civilians and especially children who make up more than half of Gaza’s population.

“We welcome any alleviation of violence, with cautious optimism and hope that these declarations of ceasefire will lead to the end of fighting. We call on all parties to stop attacks and refrain from further hostilities,” he said.

Over the weekend, Israel declared a unilateral truce saying that its objectives have been met after its three-week offensive, followed by Hamas’ announcement of a conditional ceasefire contingent on Israel pulling all ground troops out of Gaza in a week.

Insecurity has prevented World Vision from distributing emergency supplies to 50,000 people who are in the worst-hit areas of Beit Lahiya and Rafah where the organization operates on-going community development projects.

“We are calling on Israel to ensure unhindered, open humanitarian access to meet the needs of the people of Gaza. This must include opening the main crossings at Karni and Erez for taking humanitarian supplies in. The current humanitarian corridor is utterly inadequate for necessary relief operations,” Clayton said.

Even before this crisis, the 18-month blockade and land, sea and air closures of Gaza devastated the economy, halted services and rendered the residents entirely dependent on humanitarian aid. World Vision says maintaining this blockade is unacceptable and a full resolution to the conflict must include withdrawal of Israel’s ground presence from Gaza, a return to freedom of movement of residents within the area, and an end to rocket launchings.

World Vision donors support more than 23,000 children in the West Bank and Gaza, including 6,000 children sponsored by Canadians in the West Bank. World Vision began working in Israel and the Palestinian territories in 1975.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

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To interview World Vision staff, please contact:

Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext. 2151
416-671-0086 (cell)
yoko_kobayashi@worldvision.ca

Alex Sancton
905-565-6200 ext.3949
416-419-1321 (cell)
alex_sancton@worldvision.ca