WESTPORT, Conn. (Dec. 31, 2008) — Save the Children has launched a $10 million fundraising appeal for Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepens for thousands of children affected by the conflict.  

More than 360 people have been killed in Gaza and neighboring Israel. The United Nations reports that at least 21 children have died during the conflict, with other reports in Gaza putting the child death total above 30. Tens of thousands of people also have been displaced following four days of air strikes and rocket attacks.

Save the Children is calling for a peaceful solution to the current crisis that endangers the life of nearly every child in Gaza, and the lives of Israeli children in areas subject to attacks.

Thousands of children, who are already suffering from the physical and psychological effects of the violence, are now facing an increased risk of malnutrition due to acute food shortages in Gaza. 

Even before the latest outbreak of violence, 50,000 Gazan children were malnourished, more than two-thirds of all children suffered from vitamin A deficiency and almost half of children under age 2 were anemic. Lack of access to food, clean water and medical supplies exacerbates these threats to their health and well-being. 

Save the Children food parcels ready to be delivered to families in Gaza. Dec.30, 2008.

“With malnutrition rates already very high, children are extremely vulnerable to disease,” said Ned Olney, who heads Save the Children’s humanitarian response team based in Westport, Connecticut.

“A cessation of hostilities by all parties and free access for humanitarian assistance will allow aid agencies to provide much-needed relief to vulnerable children. Save the Children staff in Gaza have assembled over 1,000 food packages, which could feed as many families for two weeks, but it is not safe to distribute them.”

In addition to food shortages, many children and their families also lack access to clean water for cooking, drinking and hygiene purposes. Sewage pipes have ruptured, electricity is not available to power pumps, and drinking water is increasingly scarce. 

Of the 1.5 million people living in Gaza, 1.1 million are dependent on food aid from agencies like Save the Children. Now, all families in Gaza are being forced to survive on food they were able to store at home before the attacks began several days ago. Most shops are closed or do not have supplies.  

Save the Children’s fundraising appeal will help provide children and families affected by the bombing with vital food, water and medical supplies.  

But the agency warns that without an immediate ceasefire by all parties, reaching those who are in need is difficult.

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Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org) is the leading, independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world.  For more than 75 years, Save the Children has worked to improve the lives of children and their families through programs in health, education and economic opportunities, and during times of crisis and conflict. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 100 countries.