Ceasefire in Gaza: Tearfund launches humanitarian appeal to respond
Media Release
Ceasefire in Gaza: Tearfund Australia launches humanitarian appeal to respond
30 January 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
With the recent ceasefire in Gaza opening up new avenues for humanitarian assistance, Tearfund Australia has launched the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal. Right now, millions of people across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region remain in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care.
Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s Regional Director for the Middle East, said: “The ceasefire is a welcome first step and will bring desperately needed respite for the people of Gaza but it must lead to a lasting peace that allows all people in the region to live in safety. Families will be mourning their dead today even as they breathe a sigh of relief that the relentless bombardment will stop. The international community has a responsibility to ensure that the ceasefire holds and that urgent, sustained humanitarian access into Gaza is allowed.
“The prospect of a ceasefire is a moment for celebration for the people of Gaza, as well as for the families of the hostages that will be released. But it comes after 15 months of devastating conflict and the death of more than 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Over 1.9 million people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes and are now facing the harshness of winter with desperately inadequate shelter and provisions.
“We continue to pray and work for a peaceful future with a sustained, region-wide ceasefire, which will be essential for lasting peace, healing, and the flourishing of communities.”
In partnership with the global Tearfund Family, Tearfund Australia is working through local Christian partners in the affected region to deliver urgently needed health services and psychosocial support to help individuals and families recover and rediscover hope.
Bec Oates, Tearfund’s CEO, said: “Alongside our Tearfund Family of agencies and their local Christian partners responding on the ground, we stand in hope and pray that the ceasefire is just the beginning of a safe and peaceful future for all people in the region. As followers of Jesus, we are committed to going where the need is greatest to tackle injustice and the root causes of poverty – and this crisis calls us to bring practical expressions of God’s love and compassion to those who are suffering.”
Tearfund has launched the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to support humanitarian needs in Gaza and Lebanon. To donate, please visit: Middle East Humanitarian Appeal | Tearfund Australia.
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For further information contact Melody Murton, Tearfund Head of Communications and Education, at [email protected] or 03 9264 7000
Notes to editors:
- To donate to Tearfund’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal, supporting humanitarian needs in Gaza and Lebanon, please visit: Middle East Humanitarian Appeal | Tearfund Australia
- Tearfund is a movement of Christians working in partnership to end poverty and tackle injustice. We partner with Christians in Australia and around the world as changemakers to tackle the root causes of poverty, release hope, champion justice and equip communities to flourish. Tearfund supports both short-term emergency relief projects that enable disaster-affected people to survive, and medium-term recovery and rehabilitation projects. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.au