Together with around 70,000 residents, many local staff members of humanitarian organizations are now trying to reach the south of Gaza through completely overcrowded corridors. Since the beginning of August, more than 140,000 people have already fled the city. Only about 60 square kilometers remain in the south as designated “safe areas,” where no fighting is currently taking place – an area roughly three times the size of Frankfurt Airport. Conditions in the South are already dire, with far too few shelters, tents, clean water, and food available for the displaced population.
Welthungerhilfe will continue to provide support in the southern parts of the Gaza Strip, focusing in particular on assisting malnourished children and their families. All activities are carried out in close cooperation with local partner organizations.
In their work, Welthungerhilfe and its partners strictly adhere to the humanitarian principles of neutrality, humanity, impartiality, and independence.
Welthungerhilfe condemns the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in the strongest terms and calls for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. At the same time, it calls for a sustained ceasefire, for the protection of the civilian population and humanitarian workers, and for safe and unhindered access to be provided for the needed aid supplies as quickly as possible.
Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest private aid organizations in Germany; it is politically independent and non-denominational. With courage and determination, it is striving for a world without hunger. Since it was founded on December 14, 1962, 12,777 overseas projects in about 72 countries and territories have been supported with 5.42 billion euros. Welthungerhilfe follows the principle of empowering people to help themselves to sustainably improve their living conditions, through approaches ranging from fast disaster relief to reconstruction and long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organizations.
