The ceasefire in Gaza that came into effect Sunday 19th of January provides a window to scale up the delivery humanitarian aid across Gaza. In the first stage, which will last six weeks, a huge increase in humanitarian access should be visible. The ceasefire commits to a target of 600 trucks a day, which has been topped each day of the ceasefire up until now. With Dutch Relief Alliance and local partners in place, the Acute Crisis Joint Response is a huge opportunity to respond to the enormous humanitarian need in Gaza.

Urgent action is needed, since the risk of famine in Gaza is high, according to projections from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), more than 90% of Gaza’s population will likely experience high levels of acute food insecurity, with 344,800 people at risk of experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC 5). WFP warned that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza could soon escalate into famine unless immediate action is taken.

Alliance partners in this Joint Response – War Child (lead), CARE, Oxfam Novib, Plan International, Save the Children and Terre des Hommes – are extremely concerned about these numbers. Together with local partners they are launching joint emergency relief efforts in Gaza. Life-saving activities that will be implemented include Water, Sanitation and Hygiene support, Food Security & Livelihoods, Protection including psychosocial support, Healthcare and Multipurpose Cash Assistance.

As of December 2024, over 47,000 people have been killed, with more than 110,000 injured – 70% of whom are women and children. According to UNHCR 10,000+ people are estimated to be buried under rubble, though the true number is likely higher. If not killed by bombs or bullets, people in Gaza are slowly suffocating from a lack of the basic means of survival.

All Joint Responses of the Dutch Relief Alliance are funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Photo: War Child (2024).