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Ongoing fighting in Gaza – Germany continues its assistance
Emergency hospital in Gaza supported by Federal Government humanitarian assistance funding © ICRC
With the ceasefire in Gaza broken, the humanitarian situation of the local population is further deteriorating. In order to alleviate this suffering, Germany has repeatedly and significantly increased its humanitarian assistance. Read on to find out more.
For many months, the quantity of relief supplies crossing the border into Gaza has been inadequate and the humanitarian situation there remains disastrous. Following the entry into effect of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on 20 January, for a few weeks there was finally tangible hope that the situation would improve – both for the hostages and their families and for the people of Gaza.
The renewed Israeli ground offensive since mid-May has brought a rapid deterioration in the humanitarian situation facing the people in Gaza. Shots have been fired at people seeking help from food distribution centres, with several hundred being killed in the past few weeks.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has repeatedly urged that the situation of the people in Gaza must not be ignored. During a joint press conference with his Jordanian colleague on 18 June, Foreign Minister Wadephul stated:
Almost every day, people are being shot while trying to get assistance for themselves and their families. The situation is unacceptable. The only way to ease the situation is to get more humanitarian assistance to the people. The United Nations’ efficient, established system stands ready here. Germany expressly supports these efforts, which have proved to work well. Without international aid organisations, there will be no end to the suffering in Gaza. The humanitarian aid workers must be able to do their job.
According to the United Nations, some 1.9 million people in Gaza – or around 90% of the population – are internally displaced. Some of these people have already had to flee several times over and are now in areas where there is insufficient infrastructure to provide for them.
The supply of basic provisions for the civilian population has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people, including many children, continue to lack bare essentials, above all food, water and medical care.
Assistance from Germany: Food and medical care
Since the very start of the war, Germany’s assistance has been focused on the most urgent needs of the people on the ground: medical and food aid – such as the distribution of food baskets and food supplements, the deployment of emergency medical teams and psychosocial support for families.
With German support, the UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme are providing ready‑to‑eat nutrition supplements and infant formula to protect babies and young children from malnutrition.
The World Health Organization, as well as the German Red Cross, the Johanniter, Care International and Oxfam, can improve healthcare in Gaza – for example by running mobile clinics in emergency shelters and operating equipment for water treatment.
The UN Development Programme is assisting in the disposal of waste, to help prevent outbreaks of disease.
All in all, German assistance for the Palestinian territories has been increased by more than 300 million euro since 7 October 2023.
The Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues is coordinating Germany’s contribution
Seasoned career diplomat Deike Potzel is coordinating Germany’s contribution as Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues. The Special Envoy’s work is embedded in international efforts to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in which Gaza’s civilian population finds itself following Hamas’ terrorist attacks.
As part of humanitarian shuttle diplomacy in the region, the Special Envoy serves as a primary contact person for UN organisations (OCHA, UNRWA, WFP, UNICEF) and the ICRC, as well as international and regional partners. She is also in close contact with those responsible for humanitarian assistance in the region and in our partners’ capitals. Her work builds on Germany’s long-standing humanitarian commitment, as well as efforts for peace and stability in the region.