Statement From Anera’s President on Resuming Operations in Gaza
by Sean Carroll
Posted in: Statement
After a temporary pause announced last week, Anera is resuming all aid operations in Gaza. As you know, the decision to temporarily pause our operations was not an easy one. We followed the direction of our staff in Gaza, who’ve faced death, loss, and destruction since the start of the war. After the killing of Anera staff member Mousa Shawwa, followed by the attack that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, we made the difficult but necessary decision to pause aid operations on April 2.
Since pausing last week, Anera leadership has been advocating daily and stridently with US and Israeli authorities for the safety of humanitarian staff in Gaza. In a meeting today, Israeli authorities informed me that certain measures would be taken to protect humanitarian aid workers in Gaza – including Anera’s staff.
With the full support of our Gaza team, we have determined that the circumstances have changed sufficiently to resume our vital humanitarian work in Gaza.
As of today, Anera is resuming full operations in Gaza to deliver meals, food parcels, hygiene kits, tents, medical treatments, and more to families in dire need. To date, Anera has provided over 22 million meals and food parcels, distributed more than four million medicines and healthcare supplies, and shipped 416 trucks of aid into Gaza in addition to providing tents, water, free healthcare clinic days, and psychosocial support sessions for children in temporary camps.
Our ability to help people in Gaza relies on our heroic staff and hundreds of volunteers. Their safety is of utmost importance to me. Without their leadership, determination, and steadfast perseverance, our life-saving interventions would not be possible. We have to protect them and other humanitarian workers who are only trying to feed and help people.
We are cautiously hopeful that the assurances we have received will match the demands for the full safety and security of aid workers in Gaza. We will remain vigilant for any indications that their safety is compromised.
Thank you for being a part of the Anera community. You play a vital role in our response efforts.
In hope and solidarity,
Sean Carroll
President & CEO
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