What is your standpoint on a ceasefire?

Relief International is guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

We stand with humanity. We remain neutral while calling for the safety and protection of civilians. We are impartial and go where we are needed. And we believe in the principle of independence for humanitarian organizations taking action.

These principles implore us to join the international community in demanding immediate access into Gaza to provide lifesaving humanitarian aid. Without an immediate, sustained ceasefire and crucial humanitarian access inside Gaza, there will be more suffering, particularly among children.

On October 19th 2023 we signed an open letter, alongside more than 300 organizations from 50 countries, calling for Heads of State, the UN Security Council, and actors on the ground, to prioritize the preservation of human life above all else by using their influence to ensure a ceasefire comes into effect. For information click here.

What presence do Relief International staff have on the ground?

Relief International has a team on the ground and a headquarters in Ramallah, from which all operations and programs are coordinated. This is closely supported by our regional teams in Amman as well as in our global headquarters. As response activities expand and further funding is secured, the team will be expanded to scale up and ensure high quality assistance reaches those who need it most. In addition, RI partners have an operational presence and teams in Gaza, where we have ongoing response operation, at this point fully funded by RI.

What’s the main support you are providing?

Relief International is working around the clock to provide much-needed healthcare for affected communities across the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as psychological support services and play therapy for children.

The majority of the Palestinian population living in the occupied Palestinian territory are children and young people. Many are displaced, some have witnessed violence first hand, and all are more vulnerable and less safe than they were before.

Alongside local partners, Relief International is currently providing primary health and medical care through mobile medical units, distributing nonfood items like winterization kits, as well as psychological support sessions to children and those in need to help them process their experiences of the conflict, while also organizing awareness sessions on wider health and social issues. Our aim is to improve access to primary and secondary healthcare services for communities that are unable to get the help they need, when they need it most.

In order to help Palestinian children and young people to navigate their new reality, we are also running play therapy sessions and events where younger children play while learning to express their emotions, and sessions where older children can learn about first aid and emergency preparedness.

How do you mitigate against the security challenges?

Relief International operates with comprehensive security protocols to ensure the security, safety and wellbeing of all staff. Our security and access teams are responsible for continuously assessing risks and the evolving situation, coordinating with other key humanitarian actors and ensuring all measures are taken to mitigate identified risks. We are also recruiting dedicated security staff for our operation in the area.

Can you provide more detail on the support you’re providing children affected by the conflict?

The majority of the Palestinian population living in the occupied Palestinian territory are children and young people. Many are displaced or have lost their homes, some have witnessed violence first hand, and all are more vulnerable and less safe than they were before.

Alongside local partners, Relief International is currently providing psychological support sessions to children to help them process their experiences of the conflict, while also organizing awareness sessions on wider health and social issues.

In order to help Palestinian children and young people to navigate their new reality, we are also running events where younger children play while learning to express their emotions, and sessions where older children can learn about first aid and emergency preparedness.