JERUSALEM (Jan. 6, 2009) — Save the Children today issued a strong protest against the continued violence in Gaza that has now claimed the lives of more than 100 children.

"Recent attacks on two shelters set up for families forced from their homes in Gaza have killed additional civilians including children," said Annie Foster, who heads Save the Children's emergency response in the region. 

"This crisis continues to have an enormously devastating impact on innocent children and families, many of whom have left their homes and have no safe place to go. We are calling on the Israeli government and Hamas to agree to an immediate cease-fire, if only for the sake of the children. The international community also needs to accelerate its efforts to bring about an end to hostilities."

The calls for a cease-fire followed attacks on two United Nations shelters that housed displaced children and families. According to news reports, at least 43 people taking shelter were killed, including many children.

Delivering Life-saving Food

Despite the escalation in violence and tank incursions into the north that began Monday evening, Save the Children continues to deliver life-saving food to vulnerable children and families in Gaza.

Save the Children deployed food packages to 1,250 people today in Bureij Camp in the Middle Area, which it will distribute, security permitting, and is continuing its distributions in Jebaliya and Beit Lahia. It has procured an additional 625 food packages in the south, under extremely dangerous conditions.

Even before the latest outbreak of violence, 50,000 Gazan children were malnourished; more than two-thirds of all Gazan 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 threats to children's health and well-being.

Once a humanitarian corridor opens, Save the Children will work to provide baby hygiene kits, household kits and safe play kits.

On Dec. 31, Save the Children, which has worked in the region for more than 30 years, launched a $10 million fundraising appeal for Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepened for thousands of children affected by the conflict. Of the 1.5 million people living in Gaza, a large majority of families are dependent on food aid from agencies like Save the Children.

DONATE NOW

Save the Children needs your support to help us meet the most critical needs of children and families in Gaza. Your donation will help us provide drinking water, improved sanitation, food distribution and other necessities.

Learn more

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.