John,

My name is Bob Kitchen. I lead emergency response teams for the IRC in more than 40 countries. Your support has been a lifeline for families in Gaza—which is why I am reaching out to share an update on the ceasefire—and what it means for IRC’s critical work in the area.

It has been just under a week since the ceasefire in Gaza took effect. Right now there is a sense of relief, but it is tempered by how fragile the ceasefire is at the moment. For the first time in more than six months, the sound of bombs has been replaced—at least in some parts—by the sound of people picking up their lives again and trying to make it home.

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The ceasefire has brought calm, but not yet relief. After two years of war, Gaza's infrastructure is shattered. Famine was declared in Gaza City in September. Most families have been displaced an average of seven times and are returning to neighborhoods with no functioning services, little food in the markets and heavily damaged hospitals. Communities are just surviving, with alarming levels of malnutrition and trauma reported.

Despite the devastating conditions and security restraints on the ground, the IRC's team in Gaza has shown unwavering commitment throughout the conflict. Our teams have delivered clean water, screened and treated malnourished children, and run protection and early childhood programs for displaced communities almost non-stop throughout the war. Even during the most intense fighting and shelling, amid fuel shortages and personal loss, their determination has allowed the IRC to continue life-changing programs.

What we need now is for the ceasefire conditions to be met by both parties so that aid can begin to flow immediately. That means opening up and sustaining a massive flow of humanitarian assistance. The IRC currently has 5 tons of aid waiting outside of Gaza, and we are ready to scale up our response at a moment's notice.

John, your support of the IRC enables our teams on the ground in Gaza to continue their critical work. I feel proud that, despite all of the upheaval and danger, their focus remains on scaling up humanitarian response for families in critical need. I hope you do too.

With gratitude,

Bob Kitchen
Vice President, Emergencies & Humanitarian Action
International Rescue Committee



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