Aid groups prepare to deliver help in Gaza once ceasefire takes effect

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This article was published 16/01/2025 (436 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba-based aid groups are hopeful they can deliver more assistance to the region as a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect.

“We pray and hope it will come into effect on Sunday,” said Bruce Guenther, who directs disaster response for the Mennonite Central Committee. “We also pray and hope that everyone will abide by it.”

The organization — the relief, development and peace arm of Mennonite churches in Canada — has called for a ceasefire for a long time to bring an end to the conflict, which began Oct. 7, 2023.

Now, Guenther said, “we await to see it come to fruition.”

The ceasefire deal, announced Wednesday, would see some of the hostages held in Gaza released and a pause in fighting with a view to eventually winding down the 15-month war. It is due to take effect on Sunday but had not been officially approved as of Thursday.

Guenther said the main goal of the ceasefire, as far as the committee is concerned, is “unfettered humanitarian access,” noting the situation in Gaza is “very dire and urgent.”

He noted the ability of groups to provide aid is one of the provisions of the ceasefire.

“For us, that is a key part of the agreement,” he said.

The Mennonite Central Committee has delivered two truckloads of aid to Gaza since the war began, along with buying items locally through partners. This includes a recent purchase of tarps and tents for displaced Gazans.

The overall goal is “a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis so that everyone can live in peace, dignity and safety,” Guenther said.

To date, the Mennonite Central Committee in North America has received about $5 million in donations for the Gaza emergency, with just over $3.5 million coming from Canadians.

Andy Harrington, executive director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, said the ceasefire is a critical first step toward long-term peace.

“We are desperate and very keen to see an announcement about the ceasefire as soon as possible,” he said, adding the immediate need is to get aid into Gaza.

The organization, which has 15 church-based aid organizations as members, raised just over $4 million for Gaza. It has sent aid there through the Mennonite Central Committee and Development and Peace-Caritas.

A ceasefire will just be the first step in responding to the devastation in Gaza, Harrington said, noting the impact goes beyond the destruction of buildings to the mental trauma inflicted on Gazans both young and old.

“It’s going to take decades to deal with the consequences of this war,” he said, adding he hopes the international community, including the Canadian government, doesn’t forget the people of Gaza in the future. “We will need to be there in the long term.”

Richard Morgan, executive director of the Humanitarian Coalition, says safe humanitarian access is key in the days and months ahead.

The coalition, an umbrella group for 12 Canadian aid groups including the foodgrains bank, has raised more than $29 million for Gaza. It calls for the upholding of international humanitarian law, along with the release of all unjustly detained people and hostages.

“We fervently hope that this latest announcement will lead to a permanent and lasting peace and that every person — no matter where they live — realizes the full extent of their human rights and potential,” Morgan said.

faith@freepress.mb.ca