Bond reaction to Israel’s proposal to deliver humanitarian assistance through private companies
Following reports that the Israeli government has approved a plan to deliver humanitarian assistance in Gaza through private companies, Bond, the UK network for NGOs, has released the following statement:
We are deeply concerned by Israel’s plan to shift the distribution of humanitarian assistance in Gaza from independent NGOs to private companies under military oversight. This approach is a complete breach of humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence, and impartiality, and risks humanitarian assistance becoming a tool of conflict rather than a lifeline for civilians.
Restricting the ability of NGOs to operate freely in a humanitarian crisis undermines international law and puts countless lives at even greater risk. Humanitarian organisations must remain free to operate without political or military interference.
We urge the UK government and international partners to act immediately by putting pressure on Israel to end the offensive, abandon this plan and abide by international law, as well as demand full and unfettered humanitarian access, and support efforts to ensure assistance reaches vulnerable populations in Gaza without compromising their safety or dignity.
ENDS.
Notes for editors
- Many of Bond’s member organisations are actively working in the region providing humanitarian assistance to civilians.
- Read Bond’s statement in reaction to the killing of paramedics and humanitarian workers in Gaza in at the end of March.
- Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
- For further information, please contact Jess Salter, Media Adviser at Bond at [email protected] or call 07392972411.
