Too Few Distribution Centers Four distribution centers for over two million trapped people.
Around a month ago, Israel replaced the functioning UN aid distribution mechanism with a new, deadly distribution system. Since then, conditions have become so terrible that children are telling us that they no longer want to live. This war on children must end now.
Children in Gaza
A deadly distribution system
For over 100 days now, barely any essential aid and food has reached Gaza. In May, the established UN mechanism for distributing humanitarian aid was replaced by a new, Israeli-controlled system – with deadly consequences. More than 500 people have been killed and thousands injured during the aid distributions that have taken place since – including children.
«This is not humanitarian aid. What is happening here is the systematic dehumanisation of people, and a clear violation of international humanitarian law», says Adrian Förster, CEO of Save the Children Switzerland.
Instead of the approximately 400 UN-coordinated distribution points, there are now only four distribution centres – for more than two million people trapped inside Gaza. To reach these centres, those in need must cross overcrowded and militarised zones. The distributions are unannounced and often take place in the middle of the night. People are being forced to make an impossible choice: starve, or face the risk of being shot while queueing for food.
This is all taking place while enough trucks carrying food, drinking water, fuel and medicines are waiting at the border, and while Save the Children and many other experienced humanitarian organisations stand ready to deliver life-saving aid.
No Information Distributions are not announced and often take place in the middle of the night.
An Impossible Choice Starve or risk being shot while waiting in line for food.
Access for Humanitarian Aid Trucks carrying food, drinking water, fuel, or medicine are waiting at the border.
Every day I think that it cannot possibly get worse. And then it does.
![Rachael Cummings, Humanitarian Director, Save the Children in Gaza]( "CH11336194_Rachael Cummings, Humanitarian Director, Save the Children in Gaza")
We continue our work
«I want to join my mummy in heaven»
Despite all this adversity, we continue our work – wherever we can. In our child-friendly spaces, for instance, where we create safe environments in which children can simply be children for a brief moment. One of the regular games we play here is the so-called “wish circle”: each child gets to say what they wish for most. Today, we hear children aged six to ten in Gaza wishing for things like water and bread. And ever more frequently: death.
Gaza is now the most dangerous place in the world for children.
«Children are telling us that they want to die, because there is water and food in heaven – and because their parents are there», Rachael Cummings reports. Gaza is now the most dangerous place in the world for children. More than 18,000 of them have been killed. Thousands more have been injured and traumatised, have fallen ill or been orphaned. «How is it possible for children’s rights to be trampled to such an extent that they are forced to endure such unimaginable suffering – while the world simply looks on? I am devastated and furious», says Förster.
Our demand: End the War on Children
Save the Children is on the ground. We are ready to support children and families – with emergency relief, psychosocial care and child-friendly spaces. But we need access, and a distribution system based on humanitarian principles.
The international community can no longer stand idly by while children die of hunger and thirst and are bombed. End this war on children. Give them a future. Now.
We Demand:
- An immediate and lasting ceasefire
- Safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid
- The abolition of the deadly distribution system and reinstatement of a UN-led mechanism
- The release of all hostages and all arbitrarily held prisoners
- An end to the supply of weapons that fuel this war on children
