The numbers are so staggering they are hard to comprehend: 25,700 people killed, thousands more unidentified, buried by the rubble. 1.9 million people displaced, 60% of buildings destroyed. Entire families, neighborhoods, places of worship and study, wiped out.

Arms Sales to Israel

What you may not know is that Canada has continued to transfer military weapons to Israel throughout this brutal war. This revelation is alarming, especially given the clear risk that these weapons could be used to commit war crimes. Amidst a conflict where the equivalent of two nuclear bombs’ worth of explosives have been dropped on the Gaza Strip, Canada’s ongoing military support to Israel raises serious ethical and legal concerns.

As a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty, Canada is legally responsible for ensuring that its arms exports do not contribute to serious violations of international law or harm women and children. The current situation in Gaza demands an immediate reassessment of Canada’s arms transfers, as they appear to violate the principles outlined in the treaty.

What is more, the International Court of Justice has found that South Africa has a substantial basis to bring a case against Israel for genocide. This underscores the gravity of the accusations against Israel and emphasizes the need for immediate action to halt any support that may contribute to such crimes.

In the face of our leaders’ failure to act responsibly, the responsibility of holding them to account falls on us—the concerned citizens. We cannot stand idly by while Canada continues to contribute to the devastation in Gaza. We urgently call upon Minister Mélanie Joly to exercise her powers and stop arms sales to Israel immediately.

Remember how you and thousands of others influenced Canada to call for a ceasefire? Let’s do it again.

Send a letter to Minister Mélanie Joly TODAY!

“Oxfam welcomes the ICJ’s order and provisional measures as a crucial step towards recognizing the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and stopping the bloodshed and unimaginable horrors that 2.3 million Palestinians have already endured.

“After more than 100 days of indiscriminate bombing in which it has killed more than 25,000 people, sparked a horrific mass displacement of civilians, weaponized starvation and systemically denied them adequate aid, the Israeli government must immediately abide by the court ruling.

“All States – particularly those supporting Israel with military weapons in spite of the clear risk of them being used to commit war crimes – must equally respect the court’s ruling and refrain from any actions that undermine it.

“Palestinians should not have to endure another day of this suffering. We urge all countries to do all in their power to ensure an immediate ceasefire, ensuring those responsible for violations on both sides are held accountable, and to end Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territory.”

Oxfam Canada is calling on Canada to suspend arms transfers to Israel – learn more here.

Israel’s current military campaign in Gaza is now considered to be amongst the deadliest and most destructive in recent history, according to experts. Humanitarian agencies, human rights groups, United Nations officials, and more than 153 member states have called for an immediate ceasefire for months, yet only a short reprieve took place in November.

Numerous world leaders have urged the Israeli government to reduce civilian casualties. Yet the Israel Defense Force continues firing explosive weapons and munitions in densely populated areas all throughout Gaza leading to more than 25,000 deaths and dire humanitarian consequences for the people of Gaza, who have nowhere safe to go.

Gaza’s remaining lifeline – an internationally-funded humanitarian aid response – has been paralyzed by the intensity of the hostilities. The shooting of aid convoys, the bombing of hospitals, recurrent communications blackouts, damaged roads, restrictions on essential supplies, an almost complete ban on commercial supplies, and a restricted bureaucratic process to send aid into Gaza – all have led to a grossly inadequate humanitarian response.

While Canada does not currently transfer arms to Palestinian armed groups, Canada’s transfer of arms to Israel amounted to CAD27 million in 2021, a record high since 1987. All UN member states, including Canada, have a legal responsibility to prevent atrocity crimes and ensure the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law.

Canadian Humanitarian Organizations demand an immediate ceasefire and call on Canada to halt the transfer of weapons as well as immediately suspend all arms export permits to Israel, while there is a risk such material be used to commit violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including the parts transferred to the United States destined for Israel.

ED QUOTES:

“Doctors of the World is urging Canada to align with its vote in favor of a ceasefire at the UN General Assembly. Doctors of the World emphasizes the critical need for intervention amidst the prolonged and devastating onslaught of heavy bombing and shelling over a 365 sq km region, home to 2.2 million people. With the ceasefire yet to materialize, an urgent plea is extended to Canada and other nations to swiftly halt all weapons transfers to the conflicting parties—a vital, life-saving measure in the face of this dire humanitarian crisis.” – Nadja Pollaert, Executive Director, Doctors of the World Canada

“Mennonite Central Committee Canada continues to be gravely concerned by the humanitarian catastrophe currently taking place in Gaza. We urge the Canadian government to do everything in their power, including the halt of arms transfers and arms permits to Israel, to work for an immediate ceasefire, increased humanitarian assistance, and the upholding of international law and human rights. As a humanitarian peacebuilding organization with decades of experience, including 75 years in Palestine and Israel, we know that violence will not bring security, nor a lasting peace. Now is the time for clear and committed leadership for a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.” – Rick Cober Bauman, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada 

“For over 100 days now, airstrikes and ground military operations in Gaza have been killing an average of 250 Palestinians a day, which exceeds the daily death toll of any other major conflict of recent years. Over 25,000 tons of explosives have not only sacrificed over 25,000 lives and led to international law violations, they are also blocking the delivery of any meaningful, urgently needed humanitarian response. All governments exporting arms to the parties-involved have an obligation to stop fueling this violence and potential war crimes immediately. We must use all levers at this point to avoid complicity in these atrocities.” – Béatrice Vaugrante, Executive Director, Oxfam-Québec 

‘’More than 10,000 children have lost their lives and survivors endure the unspeakable including life-altering injuries, burns, diseases, inadequate medical care, abduction, and the loss of loved ones. We urge the Canadian government to immediately halt arms transfers to both Israel and Palestinian armed groups. Despite the Canadian government supporting a ceasefire and the UN Security Council voting for improved humanitarian access, the situation in Gaza has worsened. Too many children in Gaza and Israel are facing grave violations to their rights and one grave violation is one too many.’’ – Danny Genwright, President and CEO, Save the Children Canada 

“Humanity & Inclusion urges States, including Canada, to halt the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel, Palestinian Armed Groups. The protection of innocent civilians, who have been the collateral damage in this conflict for over 100 days, is at stake. We urgently call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire to put an end to the violence in the Gaza Strip.” – Anne Delorme, Executive Director, Humanity & Inclusion Canada 

“What we are seeing is a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza right now. Over 10,000 children have been killed by Israel’s bombardment on Gaza. We call on the Canadian government to follow through with its commitment to support a ceasefire including the halt of arms transfers and arms permits to Israel, to work for an immediate ceasefire, increased humanitarian assistance, and the upholding of international law.” – Usama Khan, CEO, Islamic Relief Canada 

Signatories

Doctors of the World Canada, Mennonite Central Committee Canada, Humanity & Inclusion Canada, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Oxfam Canada, Save the Children Canada

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Media contact

Vita Sgardello, manager, Communications, vita.sgardello@oxfam.org, 613-799-0234.

Oxfam Canada is calling on Canada to stop arms sales to Israel – learn more here.

Southern African countries including Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe are facing an unprecedented surge of cholera cases, warns Oxfam. The situation could become uncontrollable and difficult to managed due to steady increase of Covid19 cases and the onset of rainy season in the region which has further compromised hygiene among vulnerable communities – a majority of whom have no access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

Southern African countries need to address some systemic public health issues that are fueling the spread of cholera outbreak, including ensuring that people have access to improved sanitation, waste management and safe clean water.

In the last seven days, Zambia alone has recorded 3 468 new cases and 124 deaths, including babies, on top of more than 9500 cases and 374 deaths since October 2023. In just one week to January 4, Zambia’s Ministry of Health reported a 71.2% jump in cases and 175% more deaths in the country’s capital, Lusaka. The Zambian government has been forced to delay the reopening of schools by three weeks and has designated the 60,000-seat National Heroes Stadium as a treatment centre to ease pressure on health facilities.

Zimbabwe has recorded 1,839 cases and 39 deaths in the last seven days. It has seen 16,568 cases and 67 confirmed deaths – with a further 297 suspected deaths – since February last year.  Mozambique suffered its deadliest cholera outbreak in 25 years between 2022 and 2023 when it had over 37,000 cholera cases. In the last 24 hours, Mozambique has recorded 74 new cases.

Malawi, which declared the outbreak a public health emergency last year, has put out a higher alert following the surge in Zambia. The country recorded 47 cases and two deaths between November and December 2023, totaling 1700 deaths since the outbreak in November 2022.

“The unprecedented rate of cases and deaths is terrifying, and utterly overwhelming the health systems of these countries.  The outbreak is spiraling into an uncontrollable health crisis and news that health workers in Zambia are also texting positive for Covid calls for an urgent multipronged response,” said Machinda Marongwe, Oxfam in Southern Programme Director.

“Governments and agencies in the region need immediate funding to swiftly implement activities and projects that would help improve people’s hygiene and access to clean water, since these two factors are key in the fight against the spread”.

While Oxfam, its partners and other agencies have been implementing various projects to curb the spread, the rate at which the outbreak is spreading and resurfacing calls for more investment.

Zvidzai Maburutse, Oxfam in Southern Africa Humanitarian Lead, said: “We urgently need to scale-up people’s access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene awareness, and distribute many basic hygiene materials to impacted communities – but we urgently need more funding”.

Currently, according to Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), only 61% of the region’s population has access to safe drinking water and only two out of every five people have access to adequate sanitation. This is undoubtedly fueling the spread of the outbreak.

“The challenge with many Zambians now is information gap on how they can prevent contracting cholera and this is exacerbated with lack of access to clean and safe water but also sanitation facilities”, says Ezra Banda of Keepers Zambia Foundation, Oxfam cholera response implementing partner.

Since the outbreak last year, Oxfam has been closely working with local partners and various government departments and ministries in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe to support affected communities. It has provided more than 1.5 million people with hygiene kits and access to clean water, including by drilling and rehabilitating boreholes, and installing solar powered water pumping and distribution systems in public health facilities and markets. Oxfam and partners have also been conducting awareness campaigns to help curb the spread of the outbreak.

“Oxfam, together with partners aim to reach 4.5 million people across Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe with clean water, sanitation and hygiene awareness, as well as with basic hygiene materials. But $3 million is urgently needed to scale up our operations”, says Marongwe.

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Notes to editors

• Oxfam and partners are working in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia supporting affected communities with hygiene kits, conducting awareness raising to promote good hygiene practices, water quality monitoring, rehabilitation of water points and setting up bucket chlorination points in public places including markets and health facilities.
• In Zambia, Oxfam and partners, Keepers Zambia Foundation, are a conducting a door-to-door distribution of hygiene kits to affected households in Lusaka.
• In Zimbabwe, over 550 thousand people have been reached and supported with Cholera Response kits, hygiene promotion activities, water quality monitoring, rehabilitation of water points and setting up bucket chlorination points
• In Malawi, Oxfam has supported 70 thousand people with various interventions including the rehabilitation of water pumping and distribution system at Katuli Health Centre in Mangochi district, rehabilitated 42 boreholes and drilling of six boreholes and distribution of cholera hygiene kits.

Media contact

Vita Sgardello, manager, Communications, vita.sgardello@oxfam.org, 613-799-0234.

Israel’s military is killing Palestinians at an average rate of 250 people a day which massively exceeds the daily death toll of any other major conflict of recent years, Oxfam said today, as the escalation of hostilities nears its 100^th day.

In addition, over 1,200 people were killed in the horrific attacks by Hamas and other armed groups in Israel on 7 October and 330 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since then.

Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Middle East Director, said: “The scale and atrocities that Israel is visiting upon Gaza are truly shocking. For 100 days the people of Gaza have endured a living hell. Nowhere is safe and the entire population is at risk of famine.

“It is unimaginable that the international community is watching the deadliest rate of conflict of the 21^st century unfold, while continuously blocking calls for a ceasefire.”

Using publicly available data, Oxfam calculated that number of average deaths per day for Gaza is significantly higher than any recent major armed conflict including Syria (96.5 deaths per day), Sudan (51.6), Iraq (50.8), Ukraine (43.9) Afghanistan (23.8) and Yemen (15.8).

The aid agency is warning that people are being increasingly forced into smaller areas due to constant bombardment, as they are forced to flee from places they have previously been told are safe, but nowhere in Gaza is truly secure. Over one million people – more than half the population – have been forced to seek shelter in Rafah on the Egyptian border. Oxfam staff in Rafah report massive overcrowding, with very little food and water, and essential medicines having run out. This crisis is further compounded by Israel’s restrictions on the entry of aid, closing borders, imposing a siege, and denying unfettered access. Currently only 10 per cent of the weekly food aid needed is getting in.

Oxfam is also warning of the massive threat to life, beyond direct casualties, from hunger and disease. The onset of cold and wet weather is making the situation even more critical, with a shortage of blankets, no fuel for heating devices and no hot water. One of Oxfam’s partner organizations, Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC), described the situation for those living in tents as “worse than anything you could imagine”, with makeshift shelters letting in rain, being blown away in the wind and people resorting to desperate measures like selling precious food or water supplies in order to get a blanket.

Mutaz, an engineer who has been displaced to Al-Mawasi with his family, said: “The rain was going down from all sides of the tent. We had to sleep lying over the bag of flour to protect it from the rain. My wife and three of my daughters use one blanket at night. There are only enough blankets for four people to share. We have nothing.”

Earlier this week, a camp in Jabaliya was flooded with sewage when pipelines and a pumping station were damaged by Israeli air strikes. The lack of clean drinking water and proper sanitation poses a huge risk to health. Cases of diarrhoea are 40 times higher than this time last year, although in reality, the number of cases is likely to be significantly higher.

Sally Abi Khalil said: “While the mass atrocities continue, lives continue to be lost and critical supplies cannot get in. Israel’s total blockade of the Gaza Strip is restricting life-saving aid, including food, medical supplies and water and sanitation facilities.

“On top of the already horrific death toll, many more people could die from hunger, preventable diseases, diarrhoea and cold. The situation is particularly worrying for children, pregnant women and those with existing medical conditions.

“The only way to stop the bloodshed and prevent many more lives being lost is for an immediate ceasefire, for hostages to be released and for crucial aid supplies to be allowed in.”

The United Nations International Court of Justice is holding a hearing today on the legality of Israel’s prolonged assault on Gaza, and may issue an emergency order for the suspension of Israel’s military campaign. Oxfam supports all efforts to investigate and address all mass atrocity crimes and human rights violations, irrespective of the perpetrator.

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Notes to editors:

• Figures are based on where data is available, other conflicts for which there is not data, have not been included.
• Deaths per day statistics are based on civilian and combatant deaths.
• According to UNOCHA, there were 23,074 reported deaths in Gaza between 7 October 23 and 7 January 24, an average of 250.8 per day and 330 deaths so far in the West Bank.
• Deaths per day statistics for Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen from: Human Cost of Post-9/11 Wars: Direct War Deaths in Major War Zones, Afghanistan (October 2001 – October 2019); Iraq (March 2003 – October 2019); Syria (September 2014-October 2019); Yemen (October 2002-October 2019); and Other. Neta C. Crawford and Catherine Lutz, November 13, 2019.
• Sources for Ukraine statistics: UN OHCHR. Source for combatant casualties since February 2022 is https://theloop.ecpr.eu/estimating-troop-losses-on-both-sides-in-the-russia-ukraine-war/; https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-group-says-more-than-30000-troops-have-died-russias-invasion-2023-11-15/. These figures are best estimates.
• Sudan figures from UNOCHA (April 15 – December 7, 2023).
• According to UNRWA, over 1 million people have fled to Rafah governate.
• According to the Food Security Cluster, humanitarian food assistance is only meeting 10% of the weekly need, whilst 2.2m people need food each day.
• According to the Joint Humanitarian Operations Centre (JHOC) Daily Readout, January 9, 2023, the number of cases of acute watery diarrhoea in Gaza are 40 times higher than the same period last year, but expected to be higher due to the lack of data from areas without access.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Vita Sgardello
Manager, Communications
(613) 799-0234
vita.sgardello@oxfam.org

“The failure to call for a ceasefire after five days of deliberate delays and dilutions of the resolution is incomprehensible and utterly callous. It is a profound dereliction of duty from an organization established to uphold the UN Charter to maintain peace and protect lives.  

“It actively denies over two million Palestinians – many of whom are now starving as a risk of famine looms – a respite from the relentless bombardment and siege they have endured for nearly two and half months.  

“An immediate and permanent ceasefire is the only way to deliver humanitarian aid at the scale and speed urgently needed, end the horrendous loss of life and ensure the safe return of hostages.

The US’s removal of calls to suspend hostilities shows just how out of touch its policies are with the urgency and terror that Palestinians are experiencing. Its actions in the Security Council demonstrate the US’s increased isolation from the global consensus.”

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Notes to editors

The latest IPC’s Gaza Report stated that between 24 November and 4 December 2023, over 90 per cent of the population in Gaza experienced crisis or worse levels of food insecurity.  

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Elena Sosa Lerín
Communications Officer
(613) 799-0234
elena.sosa.lerin@oxfam.org

“Gaza’s shocking descent into starvation was so predictable as to be premeditated; an ongoing war crime by the Government of Israel.

“This is irrefutable proof that Israel’s attacks have decimated Gaza’s already fragile food system so catastrophically that most people are no longer able to feed themselves and their families. People are being starved in Gaza.  Unless there is an immediate ceasefire and a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid, Gaza risks being pushed into a famine.

“It is abhorrent and barely conceivable in 2023, that women, children and babies, the elderly and sick, the most vulnerable people have had their food weaponised against them. The horror felt by a mother unable to feed her child is the horror of Gaza today.

“While over 90 percent of people in Gaza cannot find their next meal, some UN Security Council member states are still toying with words rather than voting for a ceasefire.

“Those within the international community who have refused to rein in Israel’s military machine and its collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza today stand shamed and complicit – this scandal is on your watch. You must no longer patronize this Israeli aggression that is killing so many civilians, even as it fails in its own terms by sowing the seeds of future insecurity for both Palestinians and Israelis alike.”

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NOTES TO EDITOR

• Starvation as a weapon of war being used against Gaza civilians, Oxfam press release, 25 Oct 2023
• Read IPC Gaza Report HERE https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/alerts-archive/issue-94/en/
• The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is an innovative multi-partner initiative of 19 organisations – including Oxfam – and intergovernmental institutions. The IPC initiative provides food security and nutrition analysis to inform decision-making.
• The IPC assessment was done between 24 November and 4 December, 2023. The figures are likely an underestimate of the situation now.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Vita Sgardello
Manager, Communications
(613) 799-0234
vita.sgardello@oxfam.org

Montreal/Ottawa/Toronto, December 12, 2023 –  Canada’s position on a ceasefire in Gaza is finally moving forward. In addition to calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages, Justin Trudeau today expressed Canada’s support for a ceasefire, heeding the calls of millions of Canadians.

We welcome this change in Canada’s position in favour of a ceasefire, both in the Prime Minister’s statement released today, together with Australia and New Zealand, and through the vote at the United Nations General Assembly in support of an immediate ceasefire. Humanitarian organizations have been calling for a ceasefire for weeks while witnessing the unimaginable death and destruction in Gaza.  It is now urgent to make the resolution a reality as quickly as possible for the people of Gaza, including our teams on the ground, who are living in “apocalyptic” conditions according to the United Nations. We are ready to operate and eager to scale up our work to respond to the urgent needs of the entire population of Gaza.

We are pleased to see Canada take the opportunity to make a difference on the international stage and help alleviate the suffering of 2.3 million people in Gaza by complementing its funding of the emergency response with diplomatic efforts to halt the violence and enable the delivery of aid.

The diplomatic efforts undertaken with Australia and New Zealand must continue with other countries, particularly the United States, in order to continue to make progress towards the achievement of a permanent ceasefire, the single most important humanitarian response that Gaza needs now.

While our 10 humanitarian agencies are able to support our local teams and partner organizations who are still managing – against all odds – to deliver some life-saving aid, it is impossible for agencies to provide the full-scale humanitarian response that is desperately needed in the face of hostilities and ongoing closure of access points into Gaza.

“We welcome this change in Canada’s position in favor of a ceasefire at the UN vote, which we have been calling for for weeks. I would like to thank all those who have signed our petition and mobilized for the respect of international humanitarian law. We now need to make this resolution tangible as soon as possible for the people of Gaza, who are living in agony. Humanitarians organizations such as Oxfam-Québec are now ready to support civilians now. When can we start our work and alleviate the suffering of the people?” said Béatrice Vaugrante, Executive Director of Oxfam-Québec.

Doctors of the World Canada welcomes Canada’s vote in favour of this resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. With this vote, Canada joins a growing number of states in recognizing that the indiscriminate violence against civilians in Gaza must end now. Without such a ceasefire, we cannot rescue, care and save lives. ”
— Nadja Pollaert, Executive Director, Doctors of the World Canada. 

“Mennonite Central Committee Canada is encouraged by and grateful for this step by the Canadian government. We recognize that government officials listened and responded to the voices of Canadians, including many MCC supporters, in expressing support for a clear and sustainable ceasefire. As a faith-based body with decades of peacebuilding experience, MCC continues to believe that peace is possible and encourages the Canadian government to continue to use all our diplomatic capacities to work for a sustainable ceasefire and lasting, just peace. Despite ongoing violence, MCC partners in Gaza continue to attempt to deliver humanitarian assistance and are positioned to continue once a ceasefire is achieved and into the future.”
— Rick Cober Bauman, Executive Director Mennonite Central Committee Canada 

“It’s high time that Canada takes a stand in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. After weeks of watching the devastation and violence in Gaza and witnessing tens of thousands of deaths, we are finally seeing a shift in Canada’s position. Millions of people in Canada have been waiting for this moment following weeks of rallies across the country. We are pleased the government heeded these calls. We now need to see this resolution turned into reality so that humanitarian organizations including Oxfam Canada can finally mount the kind of humanitarian response needed. Our teams stand ready to scale up our response and address the urgent needs of the entire 2.3 million people in Gaza.” 
— Lauren Ravon, Executive Director, Oxfam Canada

“In addition to calling for the immediate and definitive ceasefire, Canada must maintain its continued call for immediate, safe, and unfettered humanitarian access and respect for International Humanitarian Law to allow for a massive scale-up in aid supplies into Gaza and the personnel needed to reach civilians with life-saving support. With limited or no humanitarian support, children and families are just as likely to die of starvation, dehydration and communicable illness as they are of bombing. Safe humanitarian access is critical to saving lives.” 

— Danny Glenwright, President and CEO, Save the Children Canada 

“”Human Concern International welcomes the recent vote by Canada in favor of Ceasefire. We hoped we didn’t have to witness 20,000 lives being lost before this step from our Government. HCI, alongside its partners, and thanks to the unwavering support of Canadian donors, has been actively involved in responding to the crisis in Gaza. The current state of affairs necessitates an immediate and sustained international response to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the innocent civilians caught in this conflict. We are very hopeful from here onwards Canada will be on the right side of history.“ 
— Mahmuda Khan, Executive Director, Human Concern International

Action Against Hunger Canada

CARE Canada

HelpAge Canada

Human Concern International

Humanity & Inclusion Canada

Doctors of the World Canada

Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Oxfam Canada

Oxfam-Québec

Save the Children Canada.

We are two months into the crisis and complete siege of Gaza. Gaza is now the deadliest place for civilians in the world. Nowhere is safe. Humanitarians are unable to operate effectively and safely under the current conditions. Supply of aid is severely restricted, and not even a fraction of what is needed. The only way for civilian lives to be protected and for adequate humanitarian assistance to be provided is for the fighting to stop.

People do not have access to food and water. The healthcare system has collapsed, attacks on hospitals have left much of Gaza’s population without access to any treatment.The outbreak of disease is threatening lives further. We need to reach people now.  It is  unjustifiable that Security Council members would veto a resolution calling for a halt to fighting when the humanitarian case for a ceasefire is so clear.

The Secretary-General sent a clear demand for the fighting to stop, invoking Article 99 of the UN Charter for the first time since 1989.  Council members cannot ignore the horrific conditions in Gaza. Action must be guided by the urgent humanitarian imperative to stop fighting, rather than politics.

We call on the UN Security Council to urgently reconvene and pass a resolution, which demands a sustained ceasefire, for parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to create the conditions needed to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians.

Signed by:

Action Against Hunger
CARE International
Mercy Corps
Norwegian Refugee Council
Oxfam International
Plan International
Save the Children International

“We welcome the fact that a number of the Israeli and foreign national hostages will be released. This deal allows much-needed time for families on both sides to be reunited, celebrate the safe return of their loved ones, and mourn those they have lost. It would be optimistic to see this as the beginning of a road toward a permanent ceasefire – but that looks distant.

This pause of the relentless bombing and destruction that is causing such suffering to more than two million Palestinians is a welcome respite for the delivery of some humanitarian aid – but no more than that. The next four days will be eaten up by a desperate emergency effort that can offer only very limited relief, not equal to the size of suffering and destruction and ultimately with no sustainability. This is a band-aid that will be ripped off a bleeding wound after four days.

There are no pauses long enough, or corridors wide enough, or other options to deliver aid creative enough, to alleviate the suffering of two million people, the destruction of Gaza, and the loss of innocent lives. The fact that this pause is now the central topic of discussion marks today as just another day without progress to the only humanitarian solution that really matters: an end to this horrific bloodshed.

The international community must urgently advocate for this truce to evolve into a lasting ceasefire, ensuring unobstructed humanitarian aid through both Israel and Egypt, including vital fuel supplies. It must lead to a peace process that tackles the core of the conflict: ending Israel’s prolonged military occupation of Palestinian territory and the blockade on Gaza while also securing the release of all hostages.

This process should uphold the civil, political, and human rights of Palestinians, emphasizing their right to self-determination and equality. While a truce permits mourning and burial of losses, it does not rebuild homes or restore rights; these remain stifled under the siege. We need a comprehensive and just resolution for both Palestinians and Israelis alike.

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For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Vita Sgardello
Manager, Communications
(613) 799-0234
vita.sgardello@oxfam.org

Starvation is being used as a weapon of war against Gaza civilians, Oxfam said today as it renewed its call for food, water, fuel and other essentials to be allowed to enter.

The international agency analysed UN data and found that just 2 per cent of food that would have been delivered has entered Gaza since the total siege – which tightened the existing blockade – was imposed on 9 October; following the atrocious attacks by Hamas and the taking of Israeli civilian hostages. While a small amount of food aid has been allowed in, no commercial food imports have been delivered.

As the escalation of the conflict extends to its 19th day, a staggering 2.2 million people are now in urgent need of food. Prior to the hostilities, 104 trucks a day would deliver food to the besieged Gaza Strip, one truck every 14 minutes.

Despite 62 trucks of aid being allowed to enter southern Gaza via the Rafah crossing since the weekend, only 30 contained food and in some cases, not exclusively so. This amounts to just one truck every three hours and 12 minutes since Saturday.

Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Regional Middle East Director said: “The situation is nothing short of horrific – where is humanity? Millions of civilians are being collectively punished in full view of the world, there can be no justification for using starvation as a weapon of war. World leaders cannot continue to sit back and watch, they have an obligation to act and to act now.

“Every day the situation worsens. Children are experiencing severe trauma from the constant bombardment, their drinking water is polluted or rationed and soon families may not be able to feed them too. How much more are Gazans expected to endure?”

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) strictly prohibits the use of starvation as a method of warfare and as the occupying power in Gaza, Israel is bound by IHL obligations to provide for the needs and protection of the population of Gaza. In 2018, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2417, which unanimously condemned the use of starvation against civilians as a method of warfare and declared any denial of humanitarian access a violation of international law. Oxfam said that it is becoming painfully clear that the unfolding humanitarian situation in Gaza squarely fits the prohibition condemned in the resolution.

Clean water has now virtually run out. It’s estimated that only three litres of clean water are now available per person – the UN said that a minimum of 15 litres a day is essential for people in the most acute humanitarian emergencies as a bare minimum. Bottled water stocks are running low and the cost of bottled water has already surged beyond the reach of an average Gaza family, with prices spiking fivefold in some places. A spokesperson for the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNWRA) pointed out that some of the food aid allowed in – rice and lentils – is useless, because people do not have clean water or fuel to prepare them.

A series of airstrikes have left several bakeries and supermarkets either destroyed or damaged. Those that are still functional, can’t meet the local demand for fresh bread and are at risk of shutting down due to the shortage of essentials like flour and fuel. Gaza’s only operative wheat mill is redundant due to the power outages. The Palestinian Water Authority says Gaza’s water production is now a mere 5 per cent of its normal total, which is expected to reduce further, unless water and sanitation facilities are provided with electricity or fuel to resume its activity.

Notably, essential food items, like flour, oil and sugar, are still stocked in warehouses that haven’t been destroyed. But as many of them are located in Gaza city, it is proving physically impossible to deliver items due to the lack of fuel, damaged roads and risks from airstrikes.

The electricity blackout has also disrupted food supplies by affecting refrigeration, crop irrigation, and crop incubation devices. Over 15,000 farmers have lost their crop production and 10,000 livestock breeders have little access to fodder, with many having lost their animals. Oxfam said that the siege, combined with the airstrikes, has crippled the fishing industry with hundreds of people who rely on fishing losing access to the sea.

Oxfam is urging the UN Security Council and UN Member States to act immediately to prevent the situation from deteriorating even further. And is calling for an immediate ceasefire, unfettered, equitable access to the entire Gaza Strip for humanitarian aid, and all necessary food, water, medical and fuel supplies for the needs of the population to be met.

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Notes to editors

• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) data on food deliveries to Gaza prior to the siege can be found here – this includes both humanitarian food aid and imports
• OCHA updates show that a total of 62 trucks of aid have been allowed to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing from Saturday 21 ^– Tuesday 24 October.
• Saturday 21 October – 20 trucks entered via Rafah, 5 of which contained food.
• Sunday 22 October – 14 trucks entered via Rafah, 12 of which contained food.
• Monday 23 October – 20 trucks entered, 11 of which contained food.
• Tuesday 24 October- 8 trucks entered, 2 of which contained food.
• UN Security Council resolution UNSC 2417 – Protection of civilians in armed conflict

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Vita Sgardello
Manager, Communications
(613) 799-0234
vita.sgardello@oxfam.org
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“Nearly 300,000 people across 60 union parishads in Cox’s Bazar have been impacted and thousands have been displaced. The monsoon floods lent another hard blow to hundreds of thousands of refugees already recovering from the fury and destruction of Cyclone Mocha last May,” said Ashish Damle, Oxfam in Bangladesh Country Director.

Oxfam staff tell how in the Ukhiya camp-09, one mother and her one-year-old daughter were washed away by the landslide. In Bandarban, Chattogram region, 30,000 people were stranded, and hundreds lost their homes due to landslides. “People most urgently need food, cash and temporary shelters. They also need essential supplies for children, hygiene kits, raincoats and torchlights. Oxfam, together with our partners, are scaling up response to ensure those most affected receive the support they desperately need. But the heavy rains have also impacted essential infrastructure making our operations challenging,” said Damle.

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Donations can be made HERE.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Vita Sgardello
Manager, Communications
Oxfam Canada
(613) 799-0234
vita.sgardello@oxfam.org 

“It is unforgivable for governments to watch billions of people going hungry in a world of plenty, as they put the interests of mega rich agribusinesses and energy companies before those of the most vulnerable people and widen the inequality gap.

“Billionaires’ wealth has exploded in recent years on the back of the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine whilst over 3.1 billion people cannot afford an adequate diet. Food and energy companies more than doubled their profits in 2022.

“Meanwhile, the climate crisis is outpacing our humanitarian systems’ ability to respond.  In Somalia, one of the countries least responsible for the climate crisis, a prolonged climate-induced drought has pushed one in three people to acute hunger.

“An entire generation of undernourished children in low-income countries is now suffering chronic illness, poor school performance and, eventually, a future of poor earnings and opportunities. In East Africa alone, over 8 million children under five – nearly the entire population of Switzerland – suffer acute malnutrition.

“Solutions to end world hunger exist but they require bold and united political action. Governments must support small-scale food producers, and promote especially the rights of women farmers, who are key in the fight against global hunger.  They should also properly tax corporate windfall profits, cancel poor countries’ debt, and regulate market speculators from inflating food prices.”

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Notes to editors:

• The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023
• According to the SOFI 2023 report, more than 3.1 billion people – or 42 percent of the world population – were unable to afford an adequate diet in 2021; and 2.4 billion people were moderately or severely food insecure in 2022 (29.6% of global population).
• Food and energy companies’ profits data from Oxfam “Survival of the Richest” report (Jan 2023).
• In Somalia, 43.4% of the population was severely food insecure between 2020-2022, according to the SOFI report 2023.
• East Africa child malnutrition figures include Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Source: UNICEF May 2023; and UNICEF May 2023.
• In Somalia, the number of people facing acute hunger (IPC3+) has reached 6.5 million people, which is 38% of the total population of 16.8 million according the last Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC 2023).

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: 

Paula Baker
Media Relations
Oxfam Canada
(613) 240-3047
paula.baker@oxfam.org 

Notes to editors: