Temporary Pause Insufficient to Expand Aid Provision as Gaza’s Humanitarian Catastrophe Spirals

Statement by Mercy Corps Chief Executive Officer Tjada D’Oyen McKenna

“We of course welcome any progress that would see the release of hostages and potentially create conditions for increased humanitarian assistance to flow into Gaza. However, after more than a month of aerial bombardment and a siege that has deprived civilians in Gaza of food, water and electricity, all 2.3 million people are in desperate need. 

“This short pause will be entirely insufficient to staunch the growing and total suffering that has engulfed Gaza. This is why Mercy Corps has joined other humanitarian organizations in calling for a ceasefire — put simply, nothing short of an end to the siege and continual bombardment will protect innocent civilians and allow humanitarian organizations to operate at a scale that would match this crisis.”