ACT member DanChurchAid's ongoing food distribution in a North Gaza camp for IDPs. Photo by DCA/ACT International PDA-supported Action by Churches Together (ACT) International is ready to launch a major humanitarian campaign inside Gaza on January 19, 2009, with the distribution of food, water, medicines and blankets. ACT is cooperating with local organizations and foundations in the region to carry out the dangerous distribution.
A recent report from ACT confirms that food and medical supplies are reaching people affected by the conflict.
Dr. Andre Batarseh, director of East Jerusalem YMCA, is responsible for the distribution of food and medicine. On his trucks are 8,000 blankets; a very important part of loads.
“People have run from their homes and seek shelter at schools or at friends or relatives. They have no cover during ice-cold nights. The blankets are life saving”, Dr. Batarseh says.
The truck also contains 100,000 bottles of water and food for 25,000 people — everything from canned food and fortified milk to cooking oil and water.
Assistance to children
Many organizations have left Gaza; among those left is ACT-member DanChurchAid (DCA). DCA is distributing vegetable baskets and canned food in North Gaza. 85 percent of the people receiving assistance are children and more than half of them are female.
In addition to food distribution, ACT is distributing water-sanitation hygiene kits and is preparing psychosocial support for displaced and traumatized children. The organization has contributed this type of support to many responses, to help children return to normal life.
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