We welcome this shift in Canada’s position in favour of a ceasefire, both in the Prime Minister’s statement released today with Australia and New Zealand, and through the United Nations General Assembly vote in favour of an immediate ceasefire. Humanitarian organisations have been calling for a ceasefire for weeks, while witnessing the death and destruction in Gaza. It is urgent to implement this resolution as quickly as possible for the people of Gaza, including our teams on the ground, who are living in “apocalyptic” conditions according to the United Nations. We are ready to intervene and eager to scale up our work to meet the urgent needs of the entire population of Gaza.
We are pleased to see Canada seize the opportunity to make a difference on the international stage and help alleviate the suffering of 2.3 million people in Gaza by complementing its emergency response funding with diplomatic efforts to end the violence and enable aid delivery.
The diplomatic efforts undertaken with Australia and New Zealand must continue with other countries, particularly the United States, to keep moving toward securing a lasting ceasefire, the most critical humanitarian response Gaza needs today.
While our 10 humanitarian agencies are able to support our local teams and partner organisations that are still, against all odds, providing life-saving aid, they cannot deliver the large-scale humanitarian response desperately needed amid the hostilities and the continued closure of access points.
“We welcome this shift in Canada’s position in favour of a ceasefire during the UN vote, which we have been calling for over the past weeks. I thank everyone who signed our petition and mobilised for respect of international humanitarian law. The priority now is to make this resolution tangible as quickly as possible for the people of Gaza, who are enduring agony. Humanitarian organisations like Oxfam-Québec are ready to support civilians now. When can we begin our work and ease the suffering of the population?”
— Béatrice Vaugrante, Executive Director of Oxfam-Québec
“The Mennonite Central Committee Canada is satisfied and grateful for this step taken by the Canadian government. We recognise that government representatives listened and responded to the voices of Canadians, including many MCC supporters, who called for a clear and lasting ceasefire. As a faith-based organisation with decades of experience in peacebuilding, MCC continues to believe that peace is possible and encourages the Canadian government to continue using all its diplomatic capacities to work toward a lasting ceasefire and a just and enduring peace. Despite the ongoing violence, MCC’s partners in Gaza continue to try to provide humanitarian aid and are ready to continue once a ceasefire is secured and in the future.”
— Rick Cober Bauman, Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee Canada
“Médecins du Monde Canada welcomes Canada’s vote in favour of this resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. With this vote, Canada joins a growing number of states recognising that the indiscriminate violence against civilians in Gaza must end now. Without such a ceasefire, it is impossible for us to rescue, treat, and save lives.”
— Nadja Pollaert, Executive Director, Médecins du Monde Canada
“It is high time Canada took a stand in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza. After witnessing weeks of devastation and violence in the Gaza Strip and the deaths of tens of thousands of people, we are finally seeing a shift in Canada’s position. Millions of people in Canada have been waiting for this moment after weeks of rallies across the country. We are pleased that the government has heeded these calls. Now, this resolution must become a reality so that humanitarian organisations, including Oxfam Canada, can finally provide the humanitarian support that is needed. Our teams are ready to scale up their response and address the urgent needs of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.”
— Lauren Ravon, Executive Director, Oxfam Canada
“In addition to calling for an immediate and definitive ceasefire, Canada must maintain its call for immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access and respect for international humanitarian law to enable a massive increase in aid supplies to Gaza and the personnel needed to reach civilians with life-saving support. If humanitarian aid remains limited or absent, children and families are just as likely to die from hunger, dehydration, and communicable diseases as from bombings. Safe humanitarian access is essential to saving lives.”
– Danny Glenwright, President and CEO, Save the Children Canada
“Human Concern International welcomes Canada’s recent vote in favour of the ceasefire. We had hoped not to witness the loss of 20,000 lives before our government made this decision. HCI, along with its partners and thanks to the unwavering support of Canadian donors, has been actively involved in the crisis response in Gaza. The current situation requires an immediate and sustained international response to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians caught in this conflict. We are hopeful that from now on, Canada will be on the right side of history.”
– Mahmuda Khan, Executive Director, Human Concern International
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Action Against Hunger Canada, CARE Canada, HelpAge Canada, Human Concern International, Humanity & Inclusion Canada, Médecins du Monde Canada, Mennonite Central Committee, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Save the Children Canada