Islamic Relief has begun expanding the support for vulnerable people in Gaza following the start of the ceasefire. IRW began removing rubble to improve access to neighborhoods.
The organization is clearing minor rubble from main streets, accounting for risks including unexploded ordnance, and may scale up this activity depending on need. Islamic Relief was among the first organizations to begin this work.
Together with the partners in Gaza, we have been providing emergency relief to families in desperate need throughout the crisis, which has seen nearly 15 months of atrocities in which more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Islamic Relief hopes to expand the ongoing emergency response to address immediate needs that have emerged since the ceasefire came into effect on January 19, namely, the anticipated large-scale return of internally displaced people from southern Gaza to the north.
IRW will scale up the current activities, such as distributing hot meals and providing drinking water to displaced people. The expansion of these efforts will see us reach communities in areas of northern Gaza they were previously unable to access, including Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahya, and Jabaliya. The organization will also expand the education and psychosocial support initiatives into new areas to reach more children in need.
The situation on the ground in Gaza remains fluid and they will continue to monitor it and adapt the plans and responses as needs and resources dictate. Islamic Relief is continuously exploring additional activities that can address evolving needs most impactfully.
Islamic Relief has also prepared plans to help Palestinians beyond the 3 phases of the ceasefire and once the situation on the ground stabilizes – including helping to rebuild some of Gaza’s destroyed infrastructure such as homes and schools
IRW continues to pray for a lasting peace, with justice and accountability for the horrors perpetrated against civilians. The organization wants to see a lasting peace where all people can live in safety and dignity, and have their fundamental human rights upheld. Islamic Relief believes this will not be possible until the root causes of the crisis are addressed and there is an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
