Statement: IFRC outraged by the killing of a Palestine Red Crescent colleague in Gaza

Ramallah/Beirut/Geneva, 4 February 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is outraged by the killing of Hussein Hassan Hussein Al-Samiri, a dedicated paramedic with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). Hussein was killed while performing life-saving humanitarian duties in Khan Younis during an attack in the Al-Mawasi area, on 4 February 2026.The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues and expresses its full solidarity with PRCS.Humanitarian workers and medical personnel must be respected and protected at all times to ensure life-saving assistance can reach people in need.The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are symbols of protection, humanity, neutrality, and hope. Yet too often, our volunteers and staff are killed while performing life-saving work. The loss of Hussein is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by those who dedicate their lives to helping others.The IFRC calls for the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers and medical personnel: it is a legal and moral obligation.This tragedy brings the number of PRCS staff and volunteers killed in the line of duty to 30 in Gaza and 2 in the West Bank since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023.For more information, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75

Delivering vaccines under fire: Palestine Red Crescent teams risk their lives to protect children’s health in Gaza

Editor’s note: This article was written prior to the latest ceasefire coming into effect on 10 October, which IFRC welcomes and hopes will lead to lasting peace.We call for a massive scaling up of aid and international support for Gaza to alleviate the catastrophic conditions people have endured for the past two years. --It’s April 2023 in the Gaza Strip. Parents are forming an orderly queue outside their neighbourhood health clinic, waiting to get their babies their life-saving immunizations. Demand is high, but the system is running smoothly and vaccines are readily available. The jabs prompt tears here and there, but parents calmly comfort their children and get their records stamped—heading home knowing that their little ones have been gifted the hope of a healthier future.Fast forward two years and the picture could not be more different.It’s April 2025 in the Gaza Strip. The neighbourhood health clinic has been destroyed. Families have been forced to flee multiple times due to the ongoing hostilities. Parents are exhausted and weak from malnutrition, giving the precious little food they can get hold of to their children. They desperately want to get them vaccinated, but the journey to the nearest functioning clinic is fraught with danger. Mothers and fathers find themselves asking: do we risk diseases today, or bombs? They try their best to soothe their children’s tears, but they are constant now.It's in this stark new reality that Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) medical teams and volunteers have been striving to keep their communities healthy and safe.Since April 2025, they’ve been working against all odds to set up and run routine immunization services aiming to protect some of the hardest-to-reach children in Gaza from entirely preventable diseases such as polio, measles and rubella. This work is carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Health, with support from IFRC, and with financial support from Gavi, which isproviding vaccines procured through UNICEF and contributing to operational costs.Here’s what two Palestine Red Crescent doctors involved in the project have to say.My name is Dr Bashar Murad, Director of the Primary Health Care Department. I’m originally from northern Gaza, but I’m now living with my family in Khan Younis. We’ve been displaced eight times since the start of the conflict.I’ve worked for the Palestine Red Crescent since 2000, and I’m currently running our immunization programme in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Gavi and UNICEF.Since the start of the conflict, around 80% of health clinics in Gaza have been forced to close—either due to evacuation orders or because they’ve been damaged. Our mission is to continue childhood immunization and keep protecting children from preventable diseases, even as our health system collapses around us.Currently, Palestine Red Crescent is offering childhood vaccination through five of our 15 medical clinics which are still managing to operate even under incredibly difficult circumstances.Families here face immense challenges accessing health services. Clinics are closing. People are displaced. There’s the constant threat of bombs, sometimes we are forced to evacuate at short notice, and regular power outages severely hinder our work. There’s a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies, especially for chronic diseases. And with fuel supplies scarce, it can be difficult to transport the limited medical supplies we do have to where they are needed.Recently, famine was officially declared in Gaza—something we had already seen firsthand for some time, with more and more people coming to us severely malnourished. Young children, new and expectant mothers and the elderly are the hardest hit. What is especially cruel is that when children are malnourished, it makes the vaccines less effective.Despite the massive destruction, we must go on. Our staff and volunteers are putting themselves on the line every day to provide health services. We really feel our communities’ appreciation. We are still able to run some of our health facilities, but for how long?We’ve already lost so much: lives, hospitals, schools. We constantly fear for people’s safety. My message is simply this: end the conflict.Dr Bashar Murad, Palestine Red Crescent SocietyMy name is Dr Rami Abu Hamad and I’m from northern Gaza.I began working for the Palestine Red Crescent in 2016. I was working at Al-Quds Hospital until the early weeks of the conflict, then moved to the field hospital in Rafah until the city was evacuated. Since July 2024, I’ve been working at the Dr. Fathi Arafat Medical Centre in Deir al-BalahMy family and I have been forced to flee three times during the conflict. We now live together in a small apartment here in Deir al-Balah. My three children (16, 14, 12) used to be star pupils, but their education has ground to a halt these past two years, which brings me so much pain.We vaccinate around 60-70 children every day at our centre, and we also have outreach teams which head out into camps to reach families who can’t come to us. Access here is incredibly challenging due to the security situation: it’s so difficult to travel anywhere. Many of the children we are trying to help can’t get vaccines because their parents are either injured or killed.The health and living conditions of children in Gaza is extremely poor. A combination of malnutrition, a lack of safe drinking water and poor hygiene has led to outbreaks of skin, digestive and respiratory diseases. Parents here really want to get their children vaccinated, but there are so many competing priorities. Right now, food is the most important thing amid famine and food shortages.I keep going out of pure humanitarian commitment to my community. Despite the extremely difficult and dangerous conditions, I keep serving our people.Dr Rami Abu Hamad, Palestine Red Crescent SocietyIn the midst of conflict, displacement and uncertainty, 60 Palestine Red Crescent Society volunteers are walking from one displacement shelter to another, speaking with families about the importance of childhood vaccination. With empathy and determination, they guide parents on where and how to get their children vaccinated through nearby PRCS health facilities and medical points. Along the way, they identify ‘zero-dose’ children (kids who haven’t received a single vaccine dose), helping ensure that even in the hardest-hit areas, no child is left behind.Gaza used to have extremely high vaccination coverage, but the conflict risks leaving this in tatters. Palestine Red Crescent medical teams are working tirelessly alongside partners to maintain vaccination coverage as best they can and protect children from entirely preventable diseases. As of August 2025, they've vaccinated 20,468 children in Gaza with at least one vaccinedose.To protect these children’s lives, medical staff, like Dr Bashar and Dr Rami, and volunteers are risking their own. Just a few months ago, Palestine Red Crescent nurse, Haitham Abu Issa, who was immunizing children at their Deir al-Balah clinic was tragically killed while off duty. Haitham is one of 51 Palestine Red Crescent staff and volunteers whose lives have been cruelly claimed since the start of the conflict.Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and safe. And every humanitarian should be protected and able to carry out their life-saving work without fear. But in Gaza, these basic rights are under siege.For parents and medical staff alike, vaccinating children used to be a part of normal life. Now, it has become an act of courage.We welcome the ceasefire agreed and hope it leads to lasting peace. And we commend the efforts of the Palestine Red Crescent Society to make sure that no child in Gaza is left vulnerable to diseases—because for every child vaccinated, there is hope for life beyond the conflict.

IFRC Statement on Humanitarian Aid to Gaza: 'We must seize this crucial moment for Gaza’s people'

Geneva, 17 October 2025–With a ceasefire offering a brief respite from violence, attention must now turn to what happens next.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for a massive scaling up of aid and international support for Gaza. That includes the opening of all access points,so that lifesaving humanitarian aid can reach people at the scale needed to alleviate the catastrophic conditions they have endured for two years.While more aid has begun entering Gaza since the ceasefire, it remains far below what is needed. Safe and unimpeded access is vital to ensure assistance reaches all communities, including in the north. Likewise, theIFRC’s Middle East Emergency Appeal – helping National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across the region to support people affected at this crucial time – is woefully underfunded. Now is the time to support it.The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) continues to serve as a lifeline for the people of Gaza, providing ambulance operations, medical evacuations, essential healthcare, mental health, psychosocial support and emergency relief.But the ability of the PRCS to sustain these life-saving activities is severely constrained after months of limited aid entering Gaza and two years of relentless hostilities. Their work needs to be urgently supported by the international community.Through our Middle East Emergency Appeal, the IFRC is playing a critical role in supporting relief efforts for Gaza from both Egypt and Jordan.In Egypt, the IFRC is supporting the Egyptian Red Crescent Society, which is the main logistical provider of aid from Egypt into Gaza. IFRC is providing critical support with logistics and supply chains and medical evacuations to help keep this vital lifeline flowing. It needs to be further scaled up.In Jordan, IFRC is also supporting the Jordan Red Crescent Society (JRCS), which has a full warehouse of goods ready to be shipped as soon as possible. The JRCS is also hosting medical evacuees from Gaza and is preparing for more medical arrivals.The IFRC stands ready to do more – but, again, our regionalappeal for the crisis remains severely underfunded. We urge donors and partners to increase their support now to ensure aid reaches those who need it most – when they need it most.After two long years, we must seize this crucial moment for Gaza’s people.For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Beirut Mey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68In GenevaTommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

On the front lines of humanity: The unwavering dedication of Palestine Red Crescent Society volunteers and staff

'Let’s sleep early so we don’t feel the hunger' - humanitarian workers in Gaza struggling in midst of famine

Geneva, 28 August 2025: Following the IPC’s formal confirmation of famine in Gaza, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today warns that malnourishment among humanitarian workers is threatening life-saving work.The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Our staff and volunteers are not immune to the hunger facing Gaza right now. They are continuing to risk their own lives for others, while also suffering from hunger and desperately struggling to find food for their families.Many of our colleagues are malnourished and weak, surviving on just one meal a day. But even then, most choose to give that meal to their children. A lack of food kills more slowly, but just as surely as a bomb. Humanitarians need protection fromallthat threatens them.A mother of three tells us how she boils water with tree leaves and tells her daughters it’s juice, just so they can have something to sip. Another staff member at the Palestine Red Crescent (PRCS) shares:“In Gaza, there’s no difference between night and day. Fear has no schedule, and death does not respect sleeping hours. Do you know what it means to get used to hunger? That food becomes a dream. You learn to save a loaf of bread to last the whole day. That you apologise to your children because all you can offer them is: ‘Be patient.’” This is an emergency. Aid is not reaching people safely or at the scale required. Action much be taken, at scale, or more children, more families, more communities will starve.The declaration of famine is not merely a reflection of urgency—it is an unequivocal call to action. Every hour of delay means more lives lost. This catastrophe must be stopped from deepening further.This is a man-made disaster and a failure of humanity. Aid must reach Gaza. NOW.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Joanna Daou:+961 71 802 779In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 Hannah Copeland: +41 76 236 9109

IFRC condemns attack on Palestine Red Crescent headquarters in Khan Younis and killing of staff member

Beirut, Geneva, 3 August 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) condemns the attack on the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) headquarters in Khan Younis, which resulted in the killing of PRCS staff member Omar Isleem, and injuries to two additional staff members and one civilian who was trying to help extinguish the fire that broke out at the site.The facility, clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem, protected under universally agreed rules of international humanitarian law, was reportedly struck multiple times, with the second and ground floors hit while PRCS teams were evacuating the premises and working to contain a fire.A total of 51 PRCS staff and volunteers have lost their lives during this conflict. Of these, 31 — including 29 in Gaza and two in the West Bank — were killed while on duty, wearing the Red Crescent emblem that should have guaranteed their protection under international humanitarian law.We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Omar Isleem, his colleagues, and the entire PRCS team.IFRC President Kate Forbes said: "I am outraged and devastated by the horrific news from Gaza. I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Omar Isleem. My thoughts are also with those who have been injured and with all the staff and volunteers of PRCS.”IFRC Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain, said: "I am horrified and appalled by news of this attack. I cannot stress enough that humanitarian workers and facilities must be protected. It's a moral and legal imperative."For almost two years, the PRCS has been providing ambulance services and critical healthcare under relentless and extremely dangerous conditions in Gaza, caring for the many wounded amidst continuous hostilities. With the healthcare system on the brink of collapse and medical resources nearly depleted, PRCS teams remain a lifeline for civilians in desperate need of life-saving support. Any attack on their facilities or personnel is an attack on humanitarian assistance itself.This incident is a stark reminder of the dire and unacceptable conditions facing humanitarian workers and civilians in Gaza.We stand in full solidarity with the Palestine Red Crescent Society.We reiterate our calls:Civilians must be protected.Humanitarians must be protected.The Red Crescent emblem must be respected and protected.There are no excuses.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 Joanna Daou: +961 71 802 779In Geneva:Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

IFRC statement at UN Palestine Conference: More aid must reach Gaza now

Statement at High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State SolutionIFRC statement for the plenary session delivered by IFRC Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, Andrea Canepa on behalf of IFRC Permanent Observer Dylan Winder.Thank you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France for organising this important conference.Much has been said on the unbearable situation being faced by people in Palestine and the challenges humanitarian actors are facing.The humanitarian space to provide life-saving goods and services has been rendered almost non-existent. We have called, since the beginning of this conflict, for an immediate, sustained and unhindered flow of aid to be allowed into Gaza, at the scale needed to meet the immense needs, and in line with universally accepted international rules and principles. This has perhaps never been more urgent as we hear from our Palestine Red Cresent Society colleagues in Gaza. They are receiving people fainting and sick due to hunger at their medical facilities, whilst they cannot even feed themselves or their own children. Member States must ensure access for humanitarian assistance and protection, and they must consider and address the conditions and specific access challenges facing local humanitarian actors such as PRCS. Local humanitarians are often far from the limelight, but they are the ones sustaining what is left of the humanitarian response. PRCS continues to provide a wide array of health services across Gaza, including ambulances and field hospitals, adapting to impossible operational conditions to maintain services and reach people where they are.We cannot accept any mechanism that does not allow humanitarian aid to be distributed in accordance with humanitarian principles. As we have seen, this strips human beings of their dignity, fails to respond to the level and complexity of needs, and creates drastic security risks, including people being killed and injured. PRCS ambulances and hospitals are having to deal with regular mass casualty events with people reporting they were trying to access food at distribution sites. We call on Member States to support longstanding and accepted modes of aid delivery specifically designed to meet humanitarian needs and to protect the dignity and life of the population affected, recognizing the role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and all those impartially providing a life-saving response.Excellencies,We are also facing a crisis in the protection of civilians, including of humanitarian and medical personnel. Since the start of this crisis, more than 50 PRCS staff and volunteers have been killed, including 30 in the line of duty. This cannot continue. Failure to protect humanitarian workers in Palestine leaves them unprotected everywhere. We have seen Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers killed in the line of duty around the world, including in Magen David Adom, the National Society of Israel. Concrete measures are needed by Member States to provide accountability to the victims, halt further attacks and reinstate respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblem and all humanitarians. This includes ensuring there is accountability for the killing of 8 PRCS members, alongside 7 fellow medics, in March this year, in an attack that was not the first nor the last, but that shocked our collective conscience.We recognize the continuation of the hostage situation, and of the medical and humanitarian personnel being deprived of liberty and call for respect for the life and dignity of all people affected.Lastly, despite its relentless efforts, PRCS is facing extreme and mounting challenges to its operations in Gaza, but also in the West Bank. Conditions and access restrictions in the West Bank severely impact the population and PRCS’ ability to reach people in need. Member States can and must ensure this Conference leads to immediate action to address and prevent further deterioration of the situation in the West Bank, that appropriately address the root causes, and to support and protect the indispensable role of PRCS within the healthcare and humanitarian response. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. More aid must reach Gaza now.Thank you.

IFRC mourns the killing of another Palestine Red Crescent colleague in Gaza

Geneva, 27 June 2025 - With a heavy heart, we mourn the killing of another Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) colleague in Gaza. Haitham Bassam Abu Issa was a nurse at the PRCS clinic in Deir al-Balah. He was killed while off duty in the city in the central Gaza Strip, on 26 June 2025. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones.This brings the total number of PRCS staff and volunteers killed during the conflict to 50 – a deeply shocking figure. 30 colleagues were killed while on PRCS duty wearing what should have been protective emblems. Those colleagues killed off duty should have been protected like all civilians should be.This is a stark reminder of the desperate situation in Gaza.We stand in sorrow and solidarity with the Palestine Red Crescent Society.We reiterate our calls:• Civilians must be protected.• Humanitarians must be protected.There are no excuses.For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 Caroline Haga: +961 81 552 319In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 

IFRC Secretary General in new op-ed: ‘Our aid workers were brutally killed and thrown into a mass grave. This must never happen again’

The following op-ed article by IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain was first published by the UK Guardian on 5 April, 2025.Which was most horrific? The agonising week-long wait – silence after our colleagues went missing, as we suspected the worst but hoped for something different? Or the confirmation, seven days later, that bodies had been found? Or, since, the ghastly details of how they were found, and killed?Their ambulances were crushed and partly buried. Nearby were their bodies – also buried, en masse, in the sand. Our dead colleagues were still wearing their Red Crescent vests. In life, those uniforms signalled their status as humanitarian workers; they should have protected them. Instead, in death, those red vests became their shrouds.Ambulance officers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer and Ezzedine Shaath, and first responder volunteers Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed Al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed Al-Sharif and Rifatt Radwan were good people. Alongside fellow Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance officer Asaad Al-Nasasra – who is still missing – and medical and humanitarian workers from other organisations, they were in emergency vehicles, rushing in to do what they do.Post-ceasefire Gaza is dangerous, of course. But these men were not cavalier. They believed their Red Crescent-marked vehicles would make it clear who was inside and their purpose. They believed international humanitarian law meant something; that healthcare workers would be protected. They assumed that meant they would not be a target. But they were wrong. Tragically, horrifically wrong.So I’m writing with a plea. Make that assumption right again. Those deaths in Gaza – while especially awful – were part of a growing trend. More and more humanitarian aid workers are being killed around the world. The trend must be reversed.As the secretary general of a worldwide humanitarian federation, a network of 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies with more than 16 million staff and volunteers, I’m well used to trauma. Helping people prepare for crisis and then dealing with it when it hits is what our people do. Right now, thousands of colleagues from the Myanmar Red Cross are helping people with their immediate post-earthquake needs. In Russia and Ukraine our members are helping people affected on both sides of the conflict.Our teams can help people deal with trauma. But they should not be subjected to it because of what they do. International humanitarian law requires that. Health and humanitarian aid workers must be protected. They wear emblems for a reason. Yet according to the Aid Worker Security Database, they are being killed in growing numbers. In 2023, that number was 280.Our network lost 18 that year on duty – including six from our national society in Israel, Magen David Adom, on that awful day in October. Last year, a record 382 humanitarians are known to have been killed. Of those, 32 were members of our Red Cross or Red Crescent societies, including 18 from the Palestine Red Crescent Society. A further eight were killed while working in Sudan. This year is looking even worse.We cannot allow these deaths – any of these attacks – to become normalised. We must reject any narrative that they are inevitable, or part of the risk of the job. I’m grateful for the political, media and online outrage over the deaths of our workers last month. I share it. But we must all go further.First, we must see the same when any humanitarian is killed, wherever and whenever. Too often when a worker is local to the community they serve, there is far less attention than when an “international” worker dies.Second, we must demand that governments change their behaviour and that of those who answer to them. Whatever the circumstances, states have a legal responsibility to protect all civilians, including humanitarian workers. There must be tangible consequences for those who commit the atrocity of killing – through malice or recklessness – humanitarians trying to help.Third, other governments have a duty to put diplomatic and political pressure on their peers.This week, leaders of the Palestine Red Crescent Society have travelled from the West Bank to New York to brief the UN security council and demand more protection for humanitarian workers. In Geneva, I have made “protect humanity” central to my engagement with governments, publicly and privately.But at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) we tread a fine line. Neutrality and impartiality are at our core – constitutional, fundamental principles of our organisation. Straying from them could impede our work. Our job is to manage consequences, not point fingers at causes. Even in circumstances as horrific as those of last month, or 18 months ago in Israel, neither I nor my organisation assign blame towards people, groups, institutions or governments. You’ll notice I don’t in this article, even as others on this website and elsewhere do exactly that.Why? Because we believe in sticking to our principles just as we demand others stick to laws, especially international humanitarian law. We hope our commitments to neutrality and impartiality mean our voice carries even more weight when we demand justice.And demand justice we do. In Gaza, independent investigators must be allowed access and given full details of what happened two Sundays ago, however uncomfortable for those who have them. There must be respect for those who died through consequences for those who killed them. Impunity in any place breeds impunity in every place. That can never stand.Last week the IFRC’s president and I sent letters of condolence to the families of three of our network’s members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Syria. We mourned their loss and, through an EU-supported Red Family Fund that we wish we didn’t need, offered token financial contributions. Similar letters will be sent soon to grieving families in Gaza.But letters of condolence, of course, are far too little, far too late. What will make a difference is if the tide of disrespect for international humanitarian law is turned.I am outraged. But I’m also tired of being outraged. Humanitarian aid workers must be protected. For the sake, quite simply, of humanity.

‘We observed a moment of silence—but we will not be silent’.

By Kate Forbes, President of the IFRCOn Sunday, I received news that left me heartbroken and enraged: eight members from the Palestine Red Crescent Society were killed in Gaza. One member of the National Society remains missing. We stand with their families and colleagues as they await news.They died while doing what many of us in the humanitarian world dedicate our lives to—helping others.Their loss is devastating. But what is even more devastating is that their deaths are not isolated. They are part of a growing and horrifying pattern of violence against humanitarian aid workers.Since the escalation of the conflict, we have lost thirty-six staff members- thirty from the Palestine Red Crescent and six from Magen David Adom. And globally since the beginning of 2025, ten staff members and volunteers were killed while on duty.Those people were not combatants.They were not a threat.They were humanitarians—sons, daughters, parents, colleagues, and friends. They should have been protected.Their deaths are unbearable loss, not only for the Palestine Red Crescent Society but for the entire Red Cross and Red Crescent family.As I reflected on this tragedy, I remembered a moment from my visit to Gaza last year. One of the Palestine Red Crescent staff members looked at me and said, “We are all on the waiting list… the waiting list to die.”Those words haunt me. They always will.Because behind them lies a truth: even in the most dangerous and dehumanizing conditions, there are people who continue to help others—knowing well that every day may be their last.The fact that you know you might die, but you still choose to help others—that is the purest reflection of what it means to be a humanitarian.Yesterday, we observed a moment of silence in IFRC Offices around the world. The flags at the IFRC headquarters in Geneva are flying at half-mast.We paused, we grieved, we remembered.We observed a moment of silence, butwe will not be silent.We cannot be. We must not be.We must continue to raise our voices, collectively and persistently. We must call on governments and decision-makers to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law.We must remind them of their legal and moral obligations to protect humanitarian workers.The protection of our staff and volunteers is not optional. It is fundamental to the principles that bind us together as a global community. Every time a Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteer or staff is targeted, every time an ambulance is struck, every time a life is lost while saving another—it tears at the very fabric of humanity.One of our Fundamental Principles - the principle of neutrality - means dealing with consequences, not assigning blame. In practical terms, this means we focus on helping people affected by humanitarian crises instead of pointing fingers at any party. Even amid the anguish of losing colleagues, we adhere to this principle.Yet neutrality does not mean silence or indifference. We do not blame but we do demand justice and accountability when our staff and volunteers are targeted and killed. We raise our voice loudly to condemn these attacks in the strongest terms and to urge that they never go unpunished.As we remember our colleagues and friends we have lost, we recommit ourselves to action.In the name of our fallen colleagues and friends and the communities we help, we call for accountability. We call for justice.Accountability is important for the families and loved ones of all eight members who were killed, for the one who is still missing, for the entire Red Cross and Red Crescent family, and for the whole humanitarian community.

IFRC president Kate Forbes in Rafah: ‘The struggle is no longer just about survival—it is about holding on to humanity’

By Kate Forbes, President of IFRCThe road to Rafah stretches through history, through heartbreak, and through the resilience of those who live at its edges. This was my second visit to Rafah—a key border-crossing point between Egypt and Gaza—since I became President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).My first visit was in February last year, when the crisis had already reached unbearable levels. I had hoped to find a different situation upon my return. But when we arrived, the reality was painfully familiar.During my first visit, the first thing I noticed was the line of trucks—packed with supplies that the people of Gaza desperately needed but could only receive in painstaking trickles.This time, a year later, there were fewer trucks backed up at the border as, during the first days of the ceasefire, the Egyptian Red Crescent had managed to get more aid into Gaza.The aid was still far too little to meet the enormous needs but it allowed the Palestine Red Crescent to deliver critical supplies and services. Sadly, on 2 March, the border crossing was once again closed to aid deliveries.Quiet determination, eroding hopeThe second thing I have witnessed at the Rafah border crossing is the quiet determination of the Egyptian Red Crescent staff and volunteers, working tirelessly to sort, coordinate, and push as much aid forward as possible.Their work is invisible to many, but without them, the humanitarian pipeline would collapse. They are the silent hands trying to stitch together the pieces of broken lives.Twelve months ago, the humanitarian situation in Gaza was already dire. It was a place of limited movement, of blockades, of recurring violence that flared and receded, leaving deeper scars each time. But there was still a semblance of hope—a belief that things could change.That belief has eroded. Today, the people in Gaza are trapped—not only by physical borders but by political and geopolitical constraints. The recent escalation of the conflict has not only reshaped the landscape of destruction but has fundamentally altered lives across the region.In South Lebanon, tension has escalated, turning daily life into a precarious existence where the next escalation could come at any moment.In Egypt, the border town of Rafah has become an unwilling witness to one of the most protracted humanitarian blockades of our time. Moreover, Egypt has become a safe harbor for those fleeing conflict, violence, and other humanitarian crises. Today, it is home to hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee their homes in search of safety and dignity—Palestinians from Gaza, Sudanese escaping a devastating armed conflict, and Syrians displaced by over a decade of conflict.For the people of Gaza, the struggle is no longer just about survival—it is about holding on to their humanity in a world that often seems to have forgotten them.What has changed in 12 months? The scale of suffering has grown. Hopes for peace have faded even further. Humanitarian access has become even more difficult.Serving humanity against all oddsWhat has not changed is the resilience of our Red Cross and Red Crescent teams.In the face of these multiple, overlapping humanitarian crises, our volunteers and staff continue, against all odds, to serve and to stand at the gates of crisis, refusing to turn their backs on those in need. They continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage, professionalism, and humanity.In South Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross staff continues to respond to the mounting needs of communities affected by rising tensions, providing emergency medical services, and support to those displaced.In the Occupied Palestinian Territorties (OPT), our Palestine Red Crescent teams continue to work under unimaginable conditions, providing life-saving care and support to communities shattered by violence and loss.On the other side of the border, the Egyptian Red Crescent plays a vital role in sustaining the humanitarian response. The National Society's dedicated teams coordinate the flow of aid, support displaced people, and ensure that hope continues to cross into Gaza even when the borders are closed.But our National Societies have not stood alone. The IFRC network has always been by their side. Since the outset of the escalation of hostilities, the IFRC has provided emergency funding and medical supplies, deployed technical expertise, coordinated logistics and ensured that humanitarian diplomacy amplifies the needs of those in vulnerable situations.Today, we face a challenge not only of responding to immediate needs, but of sustaining our support over time while ensuring safety of our teams in Gaza. Humanitarian fatigue is real. Resources are stretched. The crises are multiplying. Yet the needs are growing by the day.As I return from these travels, I keep thinking of the words of an Egyptian Red Crescent staff member:“We don’t have an exit strategy. We are from these communities, and we stand with the people of our communities for as long as they need us.”This is the essence and spirit of our National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies—something I witness in all my visits, something that makes our IFRC network so unique and so deeply human.

IFRC condemns the killing of eight Palestine Red Crescent medics in Gaza

Geneva, 30 March 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is outraged at the deaths of eight medics from Palestine Red Crescent Society, killed on duty in Gaza.An emergency medical team of nine disappeared along with their ambulances when they came under heavy fire in Al-Hashashin on 23 March. After seven days of silence and having access denied to the area of Rafah where they were last seen, the bodies of ambulance officers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer and Ezzedine Shaath and first responder volunteers Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed Al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed Al Sharif and Rifatt Radwan were retrieved today (30 March). Ambulance officer Assad Al-Nassasra is still missing.IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain said: “I am heartbroken. These dedicated ambulance workers were responding to wounded people. They were humanitarians. They wore emblems that should have protected them; their ambulances were clearly marked. They should have returned to their families; they did not.”“Even in the most complex conflict zones, there are rules. These rules of International Humanitarian Law could not be clearer – civilians must be protected; humanitarians must be protected. Health services must be protected.“Our network is in mourning, but this is not enough. Instead of another call on all parties to protect and respect humanitarians and civilians, I pose a question: ‘When will this stop? All parties must stop the killing, and all humanitarians must be protected.’”This devastating incident represents the single most deadly attack on Red Cross Red Crescent workers anywhere in the world since 2017.Chapagain added: “The number of Palestine Red Crescent volunteers and staff killed since the start of this conflict is now 30. We stand with Palestine Red Crescent and the loved ones of those killed on this darkest of days.”For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 In London:Nichola Jones: +44 771 545 99 56 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 

Statement: The IFRC calls for access and information on the fate of nine missing Palestine Red Crescent medics

Geneva, 29 March 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is standing with the Palestine Red Crescent and calling for urgent access and information following seven days of silence on the fate of nine medics in Gaza.The IFRC is gravely concerned for the ambulance crews of the Palestine Red Crescentwho came under heavy gunfire while responding in the early hours of 23 March in the Al-Hashashin area of Rafah. Since then, there has been no communication with the teams.International Humanitarian Law is clear that humanitarian and healthcare workers must be protected and respected.It is vital that there is information and access to ensure the safe return of these humanitarians to their families who are living in a nightmare without knowing if their loved ones are alive.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 In London:Nichola Jones: +44 771 545 99 56 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 

Statement: Medical services overwhelmed as airstrikes hit Gaza

Geneva, 18 March 2025: Paramedics and emergency medical teams from Palestine Red Crescent have been responding in Gaza after airstrikes overnight.Medical facilities across the Gaza Strip are overwhelmed - the recent bombardments are compounding a desperate situation.As of 7am today in Gaza, Palestine Red Crescent teams have responded to 149 fatalities and 179 injuries. Women and children were among the casualties. Areas around Gaza City, Rafah and Khan Younis have been the hardest hit.The last 16 months have already left Gaza’s health service severely damaged. No humanitarian aid has entered Gaza for 17 days - this includes medical supplies, medicines and fuel. Without these vital supplies, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Palestine Red Crescent to provide life-saving treatment and run its ambulance service. Of its fleet of 53 ambulances, only 23 are now operating because there is not enough gasoline.There have also been no food, water, blankets, clothing, tents and other critical aid supplies entering Gaza since the border crossings closed on 2 March. Hostilities must end - with renewed violence comes greater danger and suffering, making survival even more difficult for the people of Gaza.The IFRC takes no side other than the side of humanity. We reiterate our calls for:Protection of civilians, humanitarians, and healthcare workers and facilities. The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems must be respected and protected, and all parties must ensure the safety of those providing humanitarian aid.Safe and unhindered access for aid and essential services everywhere in the Gaza Strip.The opening of all available border crossings to ensure a continuous and expanded flow of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and food, and fuel into Gaza.The immediate and unconditional release all hostages.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 In London:Nichola Jones: +44 771 545 99 56 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67

Statement: Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens as aid dwindles and power cuts bite

Geneva, 11 March 2025: The situation in Gaza has been dire for 16 months with chronic shortages of electricity and water. The latest interruption to power supplies relied upon by a major desalination plant, serving central and south Gaza, exacerbates an already difficult environment for civilians. The ceasefire had allowed more critical items like food, water, fuel, blankets, mattresses, and medicines to enter Gaza. However, the needs are so great that much of the fresh stock has already been distributed. As we enter the second week of border crossing closures to aid, lifesaving supplies are dwindling. Continuation of medical supplies and medicines is of critical concern. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is operating mobile health clinics, ambulance services, a field hospital and supporting the running of hospitals within Gaza. PRCS, like many other organizations, is now having to ration the small amount of aid that there is remaining. This puts our volunteers and staff in an impossible position, where they are forced to make critical decisions under even greater pressure.The IFRC takes no side other than the side of humanity. We reiterate our calls on all parties to: Protect civilians, humanitarians, and healthcare workers and facilities. The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems must be respected and protected, and all parties must ensure the safety of those providing humanitarian aid.Ensure safe and unhindered access for aid and essential services everywhere in the Gaza Strip. Open all available border crossings to ensure a continuous and expanded flow of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and food, and fuel into Gaza.Immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68In London:Nichola Jones: +44 771 545 99 56In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67

Statement: Without access to aid into Gaza Strip, people’s lives are on a knife-edge once again

Beirut, Geneva, 2 March 2025 - The closure of all border crossings for the transportation of aid into Gaza Strip represents a severe risk to the millions of people who have been struggling to survive for 16 months.It is vital that a ceasefire is maintained. The people of Gaza need safety, shelter, healthcare, food and psychological support while a sustainable solution for long-lasting peace is found.Palestine Red Crescent volunteers and staff have been tirelessly responding, providing emergency medical services, emergency supplies, shelter, and psychological support - despite facing immense challenges themselves. The IFRC network has been bringing desperately needed supplies into Gaza from Egypt, Jordan and the West Bank since the advent of the ceasefire. TheJordanian Red Crescent and Egyptian Red Crecent have been working alongside Palestine Red Crescent to ensure this vital aid reached ravaged communities. Without access to aid, people’s lives are on a knife-edge once again.The IFRC reiterates its calls to the partiesfor:Safe and unhindered access for aid into, and to all parts of, the Gaza Strip The protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, healthcare workers and their facilities, and the respect of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems. The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut: Mey Al Sayegh, +961 322 9352In London: Nichola Jones. +44 7715459956In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367

Statement: Gaza ceasefire must be accompanied by access and acceleration of aid delivery, as life-saving window opens

Geneva, 16 January - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza and stands ready to scale up operations.The ceasefire agreement for Gaza will provide some desperately needed respite for the millions of people who have been suffering during the relentless conflict of the last 15 months, including the hostages and their families who have been anxiously waiting to have them back home.It is now crucial that aid is allowed to enter Gaza at scale and that our Palestine Red Crescent teams are able to move freely and reach all areas, including North Gaza. The IFRC and its network teams have warehouses of supplies in Dubai, Jordan and Egypt - we stand ready to expand our support to Palestinian communities immediately.The people of Gaza have seen their homes, schools, health services, power supplies and transport infrastructure destroyed. Recent harsh weather has caused even more mayhem for families living in makeshift camps as temperatures dropped and rain inundated damaged tents. People have been left without even the most basic necessities, like blankets and food. Only a trickle of aid is currently entering Gaza due to border closures and other restrictions. The critical Rafah border with Egypt has been closed since May 2024, leaving trucks stranded. This is having a significant impact on the situation for people in Gaza and is severely hampering the work of the humanitarian sector.The IFRC reiterates its calls for:Safe and unhindered access for aid into, and to all parts of, the Gaza Strip – including the north. The protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, healthcare workers and their facilities. The unconditional release of all hostages. The IFRC hopes the ceasefire represents the start of significantly increased support for people and paves the way for lasting peace.For more information or to arrange an interview:In Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh, +9613229352In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 9109In London:Nichola Jones, +44 7715459956

Palestine Red Crescent: Supporting Gaza through winter cold, sudden floods and a crisis of mental health

“We received more than 22,000 aid trucks before the closure of Rafah crossing in May 2024. Since the closure, the Palestine Red Crescent Society only received 58 aid trucks, which is absolutely nothing.”This is how Nebal Farsakh, Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS)’s spokesperson, summed up the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is now aggravated by harsh winter conditions.Overwhelmed by cold temperatures, heavy rain and flooding, hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are further at risk of diseases and death. Many are living in tents, open spaces or even on the streets, with almost no protection.“Many families in displaced camps don’t have the clothing and equipment needed to protect them from the harsh weather,”Farsakh continued. “Moreover, recent reports say only 20 per cent of shelter needs are being addressed, leaving more than one million people without adequate places to stay.”Displaced people lacking proper winterization for their shelters face serious threats. Severe weather can damage their shelters, and flooding can contaminate water sources, increasing the spread of diseases.Severe winter conditions, compounded with insufficient aid, have severely hampered the ability of PRCS teams to provide essential support. Yet, the challenges don’t end there.Fuel shortages have crippled ambulance services, forcing evacuations to be often conducted on foot in treacherous weather conditions. This places a severe burden on not only PRCS crews but also on the elderly and people with disabilities who must endure long journeys.The impact of displacement, physical hardship, and the constant fear for their safety and well-being has had devastating consequences on the mental health of everyone in Gaza, especially children.“There is ongoing concern for the mental health of everybody in Gaza, and particularly for children who are so deeply traumatized,” Farsakh emphasized. “There are at least 17,000 unaccompanied children or separated from their parents. Most children are not able to go to school; they live under constant bombing and don’t have access to food.”PRCS mental health and psychosocial support teams are working tirelessly to provide a sense of relief. In shelters across South and central Gaza, they’ve organized events featuring performances, games, and other activities to bring moments of joy to children. But the scale of the crisis is overwhelming.A staggering 1.2 million children in Gaza face a heightened risk of long-term mental health consequences if they do not receive the urgent and critical support they require. The psychological impact of this conflict will likely be profound and lifelong for these children unless they are adequately protected and supported.Without a dramatic improvement in humanitarian access and the flow of supplies, people in Gaza will continue to endure significant physical and mental suffering.Meanwhile, food aid and supplies mobilized by the IFRC network are sitting on the tarmac and in warehousesas the challenges in getting the supplies into Gaza continue.“The aid we have received since the closure of the Rafah crossing is negligible, and this is significantly impacting our relief services. We are unable to do our work. People in Gaza are dying of hunger, cold and diseases because they’re not getting the aid they need.”“This cannot go on.”concluded Farsakh.

IFRC appalled by the killing of Palestine Red Crescent volunteer Alaa Al-Derawi

Geneva, 4 December 2024: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the killing of a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedic in Gaza today.Alaa Al-Derawi, a member of PRCS’s emergency medical team, was fatally shot in the Khan Younis area of Gaza, shortly after transporting patients for treatment. He was returning to base when the incident occurred.The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to Alaa Al-Derawi’s loved ones, his team and all our PRCS colleagues working tirelessly across Gaza in extremely dangerous conditions.Under International Humanitarian Law, hospitals, ambulances, healthcare workers, and their patients must be respected and protected in every situation.   Any attack on healthcare workers, ambulances, and medical facilities is unacceptable. This latest tragedy has taken place on the eve of International Volunteer Day – a moment to come together globally to call for the protection of all volunteers and commemorate those who have been killed while working to support their communities.Alaa Al-Derawi’s death brings the total number of IFRC network members killed worldwide this year to 32.We strongly reiterate our call for unwavering respect for the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems and the crucial humanitarian services they represent.  For more information: [email protected]   In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Hannah Copeland +41 76 236 9109 In Beirut: Mey Al Sayegh, +961 7617 4468 Nichola Jones, +44 77 154 59956

‘Protect Humanity’ event commemorates humanitarians killed this year

Geneva, 5 December - As the world’s largest humanitarian network, the IFRC’s message is clear: violence against humanitarian workers must stop. Even one life lost is far too many. Yet since the beginning of the year, 32 of our volunteers and staff have died or been killed while performing their humanitarian duties – 29 in violent attacks and 3 in accidents. This is among the highest levels of global violence against IFRC network teams that we have ever experienced.The protection of civilians, humanitarians, healthcare workers and facilities is not just a legal and moral obligation, but a pressing concern that demands immediate attention.Seven Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies have experienced death and loss in 2024: Palestine Red Crescent Society (18 people), Sudanese Red Crescent (eight people), Iranian Red Crescent (two people), Algerian Red Crescent (one person), Ethiopian Red Cross Society (one person), Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of Congo (one person) and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (one person).In the lead-up to International Volunteer Day on 5 December, 26 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world – including, among others, Palestine, Syria, Venezuela, Italy, America, Greece, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovenia and Pakistan - are gathering in their cities to pay tribute to the colleagues we have lost this year. Sami Moussa Abu Mustafa, ambulancevolunteer with the Palestine Red Crescent, provided a testimony, along with volunteers from other affected National Societies:“I feel deep sorrow over the losses we have witnessed this year, including the loss of colleagues. Everyone standing in solidarity with us strengthens our resilience, supports our efforts, and ensures the continuity of theservices we provide to communities. What motivates us to persevere is our sense of humanitarian duty, our desire to alleviate the suffering of others, and our commitment to saving lives despite the sacrifices involved.”At a special event held at IFRC Geneva headquarters on 4 December, IFRC staff and volunteers congregatedto highlight the importance of ‘Protecting Humanity’. IFRCUnder Secretary General for Global Relations and Humanitarian Diplomacy,Nena Stoiljkovic, anda Geneva Red Cross volunteer spoke, and the names of the colleagues we have lost this year were read out, with candles, the Red Cross Red Crescent emblems, and pictures of those colleagues as a backdrop, providing a powerful and moving visual.AV materials are also available here from the different National Societies taking part globally (regularly updated as events happen).For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 91 09

International Volunteer Day: ‘We will continue our humanitarian mission until the very end’

Walking into the room where emergency medical teams keep their belongings while on duty, Palestine Red Crescent paramedic Jihad Mansour says there isn’t a day that goes by when he doesn’t think of colleagues who have fallen in the line of their duty.“Every time I open thelocker, memories of my dear friend and colleague Fadi Al-Maani come back to me,” he says, referring to a fellow paramedic who was killed while trying to save lives in the Gaza Strip during the last year.In 2024, International Volunteers Day [5 December] comes at the end of a year that has proven to be one of the worst in terms of the safety of humanitarian workers. On this day, we honor the contributions and sacrifices of volunteers around the world while also working to ensure all volunteers are protected from harm.This year so far, at least30 Red Crescent and Red Cross volunteers have died in the line of duty. Like the majority of volunteers from other organizations who were killed, most were local first responders, people like Fadi Al-Maani. Ordinary people, doing extraordinary things for others.“If you're a first responder, you're an extraordinary human being facing different and often terrifying situations, working tirelessly day and night,” says Jihad, adding that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has tested him even more than prior conflicts.“I've lived through the wars in the Gaza Strip in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021. However, this war, which began in October 2023 is the longest, most intense and most violent. It has led to the highest number of casualties and injuries.”Memories of lost colleagues and of harrowing, painful experiences are also never far from the mind of fellow Palestine Red Crescent paramedic Kamal Ahmad. “The most painful aspect of this war is the loss of those dearest to you — your friend, your brother, your colleague,” he says.But this is not the only emotional challenge that volunteers here face.“The most harrowing experience I had in the war was when we were called out to respond to the bombing in Deir al-Balah camp,” says Ahmad, who ended up transporting in the ambulance no less than 18 people that day. “It was extremely difficult for me because most of those we transported were children and women.”Volunteers also face daysofextreme frustrationwhen trying to help others,as challenges of working in a war zone get in the way.“We have faced challenges such as reaching injured people, hospital closures, insufficient equipment and medical staff,” recounts Jihad. “We have worked tirelessly, day and night without breaks or respite.“The most draining aspect was the blocked roads, which left me stuck in the hospital while my family was displaced living in a tent in Al-Mawasi and I was unable to communicate with them or know anything about them.”Volunteers can also be personally touched by the violence. “Receiving news of a strike near my house was agonizing,” says Ahmad. “I was distraught; I rushed out of the medical center and went home to check on my loved ones and help them evacuate. It was a tragedy in itself. I deeply miss my friends and family.“I lost several cherished individuals. Among them were Fadi Al-Maani, Youssef Abu Muammar, Fouad Abu Khammash, Muhammad Al-Omari, my colleague and close friend with whom I used to work closely, in the same ambulance.”The constant state of emergency, and heightened security, displacement of families means that volunteers are often separated from their friends and families — and their regular routines that bring them joy — just like the people they are working to help.“We used to gather family, friends and colleagues to enjoy each other's company but now those moments are just a memory overshadowed by the violence and brutality of this war,” says Jihad.“We enjoyed a lot of beautiful days and years together and losing them deeply affected us, leaving us emotionally drained. But we will continue our humanitarian mission until the very end.”

Gavi, IFRC and UNICEF to collaborate on emergency response in Palestine

Geneva / Amman, 4 October 2024 – Thousands of conflict-afflicted people living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon are set to receive essential vaccines, thanks to US$ 20 million of new funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi).The funding, which will be channeled through UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), will complement the efforts of the Palestinian Ministry of Health to restore critical health services. In addition to the delivery of lifesaving routine vaccines to communities most in need, Gavi has also approved a waiver to enable Palestine to access vaccines at no-cost through the global Gavi-funded vaccine stockpiles managed by WHO’s International Coordinating Group (ICG) mechanism, in the event of cholera and meningitis outbreaks."Gavi is committed to helping address the urgent health and humanitarian crisis in Palestine and for the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “We commend the tireless efforts of our partners, who continue to deliver essential health services in the most challenging conditions. Together, we must do everything we can to ensure that children, amid the horror of their daily lives, are given every opportunity to access their basic right to a healthy start in life.”As part of the package of support US$ 2 million, channeled through UNICEF, will support the delivery of vaccines, and the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure such as cold chain equipment used to store vaccines. It will also support the solarization of five health facilities, enhancing their capacity to provide maternal and newborn care, along with a range of other integrated health services. US$ 11.8 million, approved through Gavi’s Fragility, Emergencies and Displaced Populations Policy - will finance the procurement of routine vaccines as well as technical assistance through UNICEF.“In conflict-affected settings such as the State of Palestine and Lebanon, children are among the most vulnerable, and immunization is often their last line of defense. This funding is not just an investment in vaccines—it’s an investment in their lives," said Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “In Gaza, since the onset of the conflict, UNICEF has managed to procure and deliver more than 1.55 million doses of different vaccines administered through routine vaccination; and over 1.65 million doses of polio vaccine recently used to respond to the polio outbreak in Gaza. We continue calling for a ceasefire to allow children and women to access essential lifesaving health interventions including vaccination.”The remaining US$ 7.3 million, managed by the IFRC will help the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) reach the most vulnerable: ‘zero-dose’ children – those who have never received a single routine vaccine – as well as children who have missed out on critical routine immunizations in Gaza due to the crisis. Equally, a push will be made to reach Palestinian refugees, living in camps in Lebanon, with critical vaccines. In parallel, nutrition supplements and food parcels will be distributed by IFRC to families with malnourished children or mothers who have limited access to quality meals, an effort that aims to also address broader health challenges."Every child in Gaza, the West Bank, and those residing in refugee camps in Lebanon deserves a chance at a healthy life. In the face of unimaginable hardship, the dedicated volunteers of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Lebanese Red Cross put their well-being and safety on the line to deliver life-saving vaccines. The recent polio campaign, reaching over half a million young lives, demonstrates the immense trust families place in vaccines and the organizations seeking to deliver them,” said IFRC’s Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain. “Our partnership with Gavi offers hope, yet that hope dims with each passing day that our teams can't safely reach those in desperate need because of insecurity and lack of access. Volunteers aren't just delivering vaccines - they're delivering futures and the fundamental right to health. The safety of humanitarians must be guaranteed so they can continue their humanitarian work without fear."IFRC, and its member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, play a crucial role in global immunization efforts. Their volunteers, deeply rooted in local communities, build trust and ensure that children receive essential vaccines. By tailoring their approaches to diverse needs and contexts, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly in vulnerable and conflict-affected areas. Their work combats vaccine misinformation and helps prevent the spread of preventable diseases.Palestine has historically maintained high immunization coverage. In 2022, the coverage rate for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine- a commonly used proxy for overall immunization coverage, was 99.43%, a testament to the resilience of its health system and the commitment of health care workers. However, the ongoing conflict has led to infrastructure damage, severe water and food shortages, and the disruption of essential services in the Gaza Strip, fracturing the routine immunization and health care system and leaving children at high risk of contracting devastating infectious diseases. Gavi is encouraged by the success of the recent polio vaccination campaign in reaching vulnerable children, and as the conflict evolves, all partners, remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure no child is left behind in accessing the lifesaving power of vaccines.MEDIA CONTACTSGaviCirũ Kariũki+41 79 913 94 41, [email protected] Sharafudeen+41 79 711 55 54, [email protected] Ammar00962791837388, [email protected] BeirutMey El Sayegh, +961 03 229 352In GenevaTommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 [email protected]

Statement: Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory: After a year of suffering, humanity must prevail

"The world remains on edge.Hostages must come home. Bombs must stop falling. Aid must be allowed to get to where it’s needed most.7 October marks one year since the horrific attacks that led to a major escalation of armed hostilities in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The urgent need for peace and stability has never been clearer. However, political and diplomatic efforts have yet to achieve this.Humanitarian assistance cannot replace political will.Twelve months later, the situation is still dire and its impact is spreading. Millions of people are desperate for humanitarian assistance. In the last two weeks, we’ve seen an alarming escalation of hostilities in Lebanon too.Everywhere, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have responded immediately, mobilising ambulances and volunteers to provide medical care, assist the injured, and deliver essential humanitarian aid to the people affected.Despite the exceptionally dangerous conditions and continuous barriers to access, our teams have remained resolute in their commitment to helping people in need.Tragically, many have paid the ultimate price in their service to humanity: 27 staff and volunteers have been killed on duty during this crisis, six from Magen David Adom in Israel and 21 from the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza and the West Bank.Today, we honour their memory and express our solidarity with all victims of the conflict.We mourn these tragic losses, and we remain deeply concerned that this conflict continues to escalate, causing more humanitarian suffering throughout the region.Humanitarians and civilians must be respected and protected.Hostages must come home.Bombs must stop falling.Humanity must prevail."The above statement can be attributed to the IFRC President, Kate Forbes, and the IFRC Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain.Our calls:The IFRC takes no side other than the side of humanity. We reiterate our calls on all parties to:Protect civilians, humanitarians, and healthcare workers and facilities.The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems must be respected and protected, and all parties must ensure the safety of those providing humanitarian aid.Ensure safe and unhindered access for aid and essential services,everywhere in the Gaza Strip.Open all available border crossings to ensure a continuous and expanded flow of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and food, and fuel into Gaza, especially through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.Immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Beirut:Mey El Sayegh, +961 03 229 352In Budapest:Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Andrew Thomas, +41 76 367 6587

The IFRC is saddened by the killing of another two members of Palestine Red Crescent Society

With deep sorrow, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirms the death of two Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedics.Haitham Tubasi and Suhail Hassouna were both working on duty in a clearly marked PRCS ambulance when it was hit on 29 May. Both were killed at the scene in the Tal Al-Sultan area, west of Rafah.The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues at the Palestine Red Crescent Society.Since the beginning of the conflict, the IFRC network has lost 24 members while on duty. 20 staff and volunteers of the Palestine Red Crescent Society have been killed and 4 from Magen David Adom in Israel.We are devastated at these losses. Protecting humanitarian workers is a legal and moral obligation.The level of human suffering in Rafah and overall in the Gaza Strip is unconscionable.More than one million people, including PRCS volunteers and staff, have fled multiple times in search of safety with no access to basic services.We call on all parties to take measures to protect humanitarian workers and end the human suffering.Visit our In memoriam page to homage their service and their sacrifice.

Mohammed Alburai: Born in a refugee camp in Gaza, he became a double refugee when he sought safety for his family in Slovenia. Now he helps other refugees for the Slovenian Red Cross.

Born in the Deir El-Balah refugee camp in Gaza, Mohammed Alburai worked as a volunteer ambulance driver for the Palestine Red Crescent before leaving for Slovenia in 2019. Now a cultural mediator and translator for the Slovenian Red Cross, Mohammed helps migrants and refugees cope with their new life in Slovenia. He helps migrants connect with lost family members, organizes sports and social events, and talks with them about their needs and concerns. “That’s the best part in my job,” he says. “I meet people from different cultures every day — from Cuba, Bangladesh, Mongolia, all over Africa and the Middle East. They know I feel what they are going through and they trust me.” Mohammed also talks about his friends and former colleagues at the Palestinian Red Crescent who have died in the line of duty and he pays tribute to all Red Cross and Red Crescent staff who have been killed while working to save others.