Â鶹APP
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
STATEMENT ON GAZA BY JOHN HOLMES, UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF
(New York, 4 February 2009): The Â鶹APP Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes today condemned as unacceptable the confiscation of aid supplies from the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza yesterday by Hamas personnel, and demanded the aid be returned immediately.
Mr. Holmes made clear that while the Â鶹APP and its partners are doing their utmost to provide for the basic humanitarian needs of 1.4 million civilians affected by the recent 23-day Israeli military operation, such actions could jeopardize the provision of aid. “The Â鶹APP cannot accept under any circumstances the diversion of aid by a party to a conflict,” said Mr. Holmes. He added: “To ensure the access of civilians in Gaza to life-saving assistance and the sustained delivery of aid and essential reconstruction supplies, I call on all parties to respect the neutrality and independence of aid workers, supplies and facilities.”
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Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Subject: Gaza Strip, Humanitarian relief, Incidents, Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 06/02/2009