In a new letter, Senator Reverend Warnock urged the White House to lead international efforts to marshal international humanitarian assistance efforts to Palestinians in Gaza
Humanitarian aid is sorely needed in Gaza, where at least 2.3 million Palestinians are caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas, following Hamas’ attack on Israel
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined his Senate colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to lead the international community in contributing to the United Nations’ emergency appeal of $294 million to address the immediate humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza. Humanitarian aid is sorely needed in Gaza, where Palestinians are caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas, following Hamas’ attack on Israel.
“As a result of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza prompted by Hamas’ horrific terror attacks, more than 1.2 million people are in urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian assistance. More than one million people have fled the violence, stretching the already strained ability of the United Nations and humanitarian partners on the ground to provide the food, medical treatment, and shelter they need to survive,” wrote Senator Warnock and lawmakers.
“More than one million people in Gaza have fled their homes in search of safety, with nearly half of those taking shelter in UN facilities. The United Nations estimates that Gaza will run out of food and water within days. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, running desperately short on supplies and impacted by the lack of electricity. The humanitarian needs on the ground have dramatically increased over the past week, and conditions will likely continue to deteriorate in the days and weeks ahead,” continued Senator Warnock and lawmakers.
Senator Warnock and the lawmakers closed: “We therefore urge you to join the international community in answering the call from the United Nations by contributing toward this lifesaving $294 million appeal, and ask that you work with the UN and its partners to ensure that the assistance reaches the intended recipients without diversion or delay.”
The letter was led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, and also signed by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Gary Peters (D-MI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Mark Warner (D-VA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
On Tuesday October 10th, Senator Warnock issued a statement condemning Hamas’ attack, saying “the heinous acts of violence visited upon the people of Israel by Hamas—mothers, children, and seniors, including American citizens—were horrific and are rightly condemned by all who believe in human dignity and seek a lasting peace. What these events make clear is that there are those who fear peace and seek to sabotage it at any cost. We must not let them win.”
The letter can be found here and below:
Dear Secretary Blinken,
As a result of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza prompted by Hamas’ horrific terror attacks, more than 1.2 million people are in urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian assistance. More than one million people have fled the violence, stretching the already strained ability of the United Nations and humanitarian partners on the ground to provide the food, medical treatment, and shelter they need to survive. In this context, the UN has released an emergency appeal for $294 million to address these humanitarian needs, help protect displaced people and save countless lives. We urge you to uphold our country’s proud tradition of leading the international community in providing lifesaving relief by contributing funding for international humanitarian assistance toward this UN appeal.
We support Israel’s right to defend its people against the brutal attacks carried out by Hamas. Hamas knew that the Israeli government would have to respond to the unconscionable murder and hostage-taking of its citizens and thus bears the blame for initiating this conflict. We also know there are many innocent Palestinians in Gaza who do not support Hamas and urgently need help as they seek to flee the fighting. More than one million people in Gaza have fled their homes in search of safety, with nearly half of those taking shelter in UN facilities. The United Nations estimates that Gaza will run out of food and water within days. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, running desperately short on supplies and impacted by the lack of electricity. The humanitarian needs on the ground have dramatically increased over the past week, and conditions will likely continue to deteriorate in the days and weeks ahead.
Displaced people around the world depend on lifesaving humanitarian assistance from the UN and its partners to feed their families, receive medical treatment, and secure shelter. The United States should continue its steadfast support for Israel while also doing our part to help the UN assist innocent civilians as they flee the violence. We therefore urge you to join the international community in answering the call from the United Nations by contributing toward this lifesaving $294 million appeal, and ask that you work with the UN and its partners to ensure that the assistance reaches the intended recipients without diversion or delay.
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