The Israeli-led attack on Gaza, launched on 28 December 2008, has fast-tracked the civilians of Gaza into a dire humanitarian crisis. As at 8 January, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that at least 3,100 Palestinians have been injured, of whom 1,271 are children and women. It is estimated that approximately 90% of Palestinians are dependent on humanitarian aid. Aid distribution such as medical supplies, medical staff, food and clean water is severely limited due to access difficulties and continued fighting. Approximately 19,800 people (11,088 children) are staying in 27 emergency shelters across Gaza. Australian aid agencies are working through international counterparts and local partners to support humanitarian operations. Two humanitarian aid workers affiliated with Australian NGO partners have been killed in the fighting.
The following ACFID members are involved in appeals to raise funds to assit in this emergency:
- act for peace-NCCA
- Australian Red Cross
- CARE Australia
- Caritas Australia
- Save the Children
- Union Aid Abroad (APHEDA)
- World Vision Australia
- King tide hits PNG and surrounding areas
Several thousand people were displaced after a storm surge combined with high tides to hit PNG's island provinces on 10 December 2008. The most affected areas were New Ireland, Manus and WeWak. The fierce storms caused damage to houses, infrastructure and agriculture. Australian NGOs are working with their partners on the ground to provide emergency assistance such as clean water, tarpaulins, hygiene kits and child-friendly spaces.
Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC)
NGOs define CIMIC as 'the essential dialogue and interaction between civilian and military actors in humanitarian emergencies that is necessary to protect and promote humanitarian principles, avoid competition, minimise inconsistency, and when appropriate pursue common goals'.
Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Reference Paper: Civil-Military Relationship in Complex Emergencies ( 217kb)
ACFID Guiding Principles for Civil-Military Interaction
Protection
Humanitarian protection is the effort to protect the fundamental well-being of individuals caught up in certain conflicts, or 'man-made' emergencies. People at risk are usually the main actors in their own protection, but there is also a role for humanitarian agencies to help them and to mobilise the responsible authorities. Protection is usually sought from direct violence, coercion (including forced displacement, slavery, or prostitution), or deprivation (including the restriction of access to humanitarian aid, or the destruction of property or livelihoods).
The ALNAP Guide to Protection is an excellent and practical resource for NGOs to better understand the complexities of protection, and how to implement protection into existing and new programs.