The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), the peak body for Australian humanitarian agencies is horrified at the reports of at least 100 Palestinians being killed near aid distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) over the past three days.
The humanitarian community has consistently warned about the risks imposed by this scheme, including that it breaches the core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification assessment released on 12th May 2025, 93% of Gaza’s population will face emergency or catastrophic levels of acute hunger if humanitarian access continues to be restricted by the Israeli aid blockade.
Quotes attributable to ACFID’s CEO Matthew Maury:
“ACFID condemns in the strongest possible terms the politicisation and weaponising of humanitarian aid in Gaza.”
“The level of humanitarian need in Gaza is overwhelming. Aid must reach Gazans safely and with dignity. Receiving humanitarian aid should not be a death sentence.”
“The GHF model of aid delivery breaches humanitarian principles and cannot meet escalating humanitarian needs in Gaza.”
“ACFID is calling for the UN and principled humanitarian organisations to be permitted to deliver much needed aid to the people of Gaza.”
“ACFID continues to issue calls for an immediate ceasefire and scaled-up principled humanitarian assistance, the end of the blockade, and for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians.”
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact ACFID Media at media@acfid.asn.au or call 0401 721 064