Greatest Hope in a Long Time
"The ceasefire agreement for Gaza is the greatest hope we've had in a long time for a breathing space for the traumatized population of Gaza," says Secretary General Anne Cecilie Kaltenborn.
The war in Gaza has lasted for two years. Norwegian Church Aid and our partners have been present in Gaza for many decades, including during the war. Foto: REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Norwegian Church Aid and our partners have worked in Gaza for decades and throughout the war and are now ready to scale up our emergency response. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached during the night of Thursday, October 9.
"It is now crucial that humanitarian aid is actually allowed in. Aid organizations are ready with emergency relief at the border," says Secretary General Anne Cecilie Kaltenborn of Norwegian Church Aid.
A Long Road Ahead
"This agreement is only a beginning, and there is still a long way to go toward lasting and just peace. It is essential that both parties respect the agreement," says Kaltenborn.
According to what has been disclosed about the agreement, all surviving Israeli hostages are to be released by Hamas. In exchange, Israel will release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. 1,700 of these are said to have been imprisoned during the war.
"It is extremely important that both the Israeli hostages and the Palestinians who have been imprisoned without trial during the war are released," says Kaltenborn.
"The agreement must now be followed up with a just peace process that ensures Palestinian self-governance, self-determination, and ownership of the reconstruction of Gaza. Lasting and just peace can only be achieved when the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine ends and international law is respected," says Kaltenborn.
Norwegian Church Aid in Gaza
Norwegian Church Aid has been present in Gaza throughout the war, together with our local partners. We have a long history of working in Gaza for over many decades.
We are also ready with emergency aid at the border to Gaza. Hygiene kits are stored in trucks outside Gaza, and we have been waiting for months to get them in.
During the war, Norwegian Church Aid has, among other things:
- Distributed emergency aid to internally displaced people, including food, clean water, and blankets.
- Installed toilets, showers, sewage pipes, and drains to improve sanitation for internally displaced people.
- Distributed hygiene kits including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, sanitary pads, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and towels.
- Removed waste in temporary camps for internally displaced people to reduce the risk of disease.
- Provided cash transfers/support to the most vulnerable so they can buy what they need most.
- Offers psychological first aid to a deeply traumatized population.
