Trócaire may not be able to provide aid in Gaza

United Nations agencies and International NGOs, including Trócaire’s partners, call on Israeli authorities to rescind the requirement introduced on 9 March obliging international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to share sensitive personal information about their Palestinian employees or face termination of their humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 

Unless urgent action is taken, humanitarian organisations warn that most international NGO partners could be de-registered by 9 September or sooner, forcing them to withdraw all international staff and preventing them from providing critical, life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. This requirement is part of a set of new restrictive conditions for international NGOs, which include potential consequences for public criticism of the Government of Israel’s policies and practices. 

Already, NGOs that are not registered under the new system are prohibited from sending any supplies to Gaza.

In July this year,?Israeli authorities rejected repeated requests by 29 NGOs to ship humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing the organisations as “not authorised”. This policy has already prevented the delivery of life-saving aid, including essential items such as medicine, food, and hygiene supplies. This most profoundly affects women, children, older people, and persons with disabilities, further aggravating the risk of being subjected to abuse and exploitation.? 

Interim CEO of Trócaire, Gwen Dempsey explains; “We are calling on the Israeli authorities to reconsider the requirement that will compel international NGOs, including our partners, to disclose sensitive personal information about their Palestinian employees, or face deregistration.”

“This policy will significantly hamper the delivery of essential aid, including food, medicine, and hygiene supplies. It disproportionately affects vulnerable groups such as women, children, and individuals with disabilities.”

“The partnership between Trócaire and Palestinian organisations is vital for delivering crucial services. With Gaza facing alarming famine conditions and increasing reports of starvation, it is imperative to prioritise humanitarian efforts over bureaucratic constraints. Together, we can create a more compassionate response in these challenging times.”