CAFOD statement on the deaths of local partner staff in Gaza

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and all those injured and affected.

They were humanitarian workers – but also mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, neighbours and friends – who, alongside their colleagues, continued to work to help others in their community who have been trapped by the aerial bombings and worsening humanitarian crisis over the last month. They had been tirelessly carrying out vital humanitarian work and promoting peace for many years.

CAFOD works with local organisations who are there before, during and after an emergency or crisis, yet never before have so many of the staff from our local partners been so personally affected by an ongoing crisis, as we are witnessing in Gaza.

Civilians, humanitarian workers, hospitals, and places of refuge – whether that is a church, school or a home - should never be military targets. We renew our call for an urgent ceasefire, to protect every life.

Where they are able to, our partners continue to respond, providing urgent humanitarian aid to those most in need.

Please pray for all those who have lost loved ones, have been injured and displaced, and live in fear as the violence continues.

Notes to Editors

For more information and interviews please contact:

• Laura Ouseley on laura.ouseley@cafod.org.uk, +44 (0)7909 875956

• Sarah Baldwin on sbaldwin@cafod.org.uk +44 (0)7776 211518

• CAFOD’s 24-hour media hotline on +44 (0)7919 301429

CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas International. It works with communities across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to fight poverty and injustice. The agency works with people in need regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.