If there has ever been a place forsaken, Gaza is that place...
The situation in Gaza was a particularly black start to the year. An uneasy peace has been re-established, but it is still very fragile. This is an area that needs constant prayer and support. One of the things that I came across was this prayer for the children of Gaza by a Jewish man, published in the Haaretz newspaper. It reminds us again that Jews and Palestinians are cousins, descendants of Abraham, and both the subjects of promises of God in Scripture.
In this situation let us declare to all that as Christians we are against all types of terrorism (religious or otherwise), as it simply leads to death and destruction. We oppose the violence by Israel against the Palestinian population, as well as the violence by Hamas against Israel, and their mutual reluctance to reach a lasting peace agreement. The only way to achieve peace and reconciliation is through dialogue and negotiation, based on the respect and dignity of all peoples. Let us remind ourselves always that it is an un-renounceable Christian obligation, over and above political and religious interests, to work for peace and reconciliation.
NZ gives $1 million to Red Cross relief work in Gaza
New Zealand will give the International Committee of the Red Cross $1 million to support its humanitarian work in Gaza.
"This money will help the Red Cross provide urgently needed medical supplies and safe drinking water to the civilian population of Gaza, and to care for those affected by the conflict," Foreign Minister Murray McCully said.
"There is a pressing need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and the ceasefire provides a window for aid agencies to provide that help.
"The situation on the ground remains fragile, but the current lull in fighting is a positive development, which we hope will lead to a lasting ceasefire agreement," Mr McCully said.
New Zealand's contribution to the Red Cross will be made though the government's international aid agency, NZAID. Source: NZAID News
World Vision distributes aid in Gaza, fears for children
More than 9,000 people will benefit from World Vision relief trucked into Gaza over the weekend, the aid agency's first to get into the territory since the recent conflict began.
Distributions of 1,144 emergency kits for families affected by the recent conflict, containing candles and food for up to a month, will begin today by local staff in southern Gaza's Rafah area. Another shipment is planned for North Gaza this week, to reach a further 9,000 people.
World Vision UK’s Head of Emergency Affairs, Ian Gray, said “Initial assessment reports from our staff in Gaza suggest children have suffered immensely over the past few weeks; witnessing horrific violence, watching parents die, losing their houses, becoming separated from families and being cut off from access to important social institutions like school.”
In response, World Vision will be setting up Child Friendly Spaces in both the north and south of Gaza, to give children safe spaces to visit, play with other children and begin to process the trauma they’ve been exposed to.
Source: Ekklesia.co.uk |
