Berlin, July 30, 2025. In light of the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, 13 humanitarian organizations are calling on Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz to urgently convene a humanitarian crisis summit at the Chancellery.
In a letter sent today, the organizations emphasize the importance of discussing genuinely effective humanitarian measures with the Chancellor to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population and put an end to the spreading famine.
The organizations express serious doubts about the airdrops announced by Chancellor Merz: “Airdrops are dangerous, inefficient, and do not reach the most vulnerable – yet large-scale aid delivery would be entirely possible: the infrastructure exists, the relief supplies are available, and we as organizations are ready. What’s lacking is the political will to end the blockade by the Israeli government and finally allow unhindered humanitarian access.”
The signatory organizations are active in Gaza and report on, among other grave concerns, malnourished children, completely exhausted staff, the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure, and attacks on medical personnel and hospitals. According to current IPC data, over 500,000 people are living in famine-like conditions. Every third person now goes without food for days – including staff members of the organizations.
The organizations are also calling for a significantly stronger commitment from the German government to push for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, which is the most critical prerequisite to prevent the impending famine.
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 have been supported with 5.42 billion euros. Welthungerhilfe follows the principle of empowering people to help themselves to sustainably improve their living conditions, offering everything from fast disaster relief to reconstruction and long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organizations.
