Mercy Corps Calls on Prime Minister Sunak to Prioritise Civilian Lives on Visit to Middle East

With Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the Middle East, Mercy Corps calls on him to urgently prioritise efforts to protect civilians in the midst of ongoing violence, which has so far left 1,400 Israeli and over 3,400 Palestinian men, women and children dead, with many more displaced. He must also urgently advocate for 2 million people in Gaza to have access to lifesaving humanitarian assistance. 

Mercy Corps Executive Director for Europe, Harpinder Collacott, said: 

“Time is running out for 2 million people in Gaza - half of whom are children - who are under siege, and trying to survive in the midst of a massive humanitarian catastrophe where access to food, water, fuel and other basic necessities is dwindling quickly.

“The recent announcement of £10 million in aid to Gaza is only as strong as aid agencies’ ability to safely access those in dire need and we urge Prime Minister Sunak to reinforce this point on his visit.

“The violence underscores the urgency of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools serving as shelters and hospitals, that are guaranteed under International Humanitarian Law. Civilians must not be targeted, held against their will, forcibly removed or used as bargaining chips or human shields.”

Even as Mercy Corps welcomes reports that a limited amount of aid will be allowed in through the border with Egypt, currently this will reportedly amount to only 20 trucks. More aid is reported to be ready at the border, delayed by ongoing political negotiations and insecurity.  Even should more supplies begin to flow, any kind of effective operation will be impossible should attacks continue.  

Mercy Corps calls on U.K. Prime Minister Sunak and other world leaders as they travel to the region to press for an immediate cessation of hostilities to end the tragic loss of civilian life and to ensure desperately needed humanitarian aid can begin.

For more information please contact:

• Kyle DeGraw, Head of Media - Europe (based in London) at kdegraw@mercycorps.org  
• Our full media team is reachable at allmediarelations@mercycorps.org