Ceasefire / Caritas Increases Its Aid in Gaza - Conditions Remain Difficult

After months of massive restrictions on humanitarian aid, Caritas Switzerland's local partners have now been able to send the first trucks with essential goods into the Gaza Strip. Among other items, 10,000 packages of baby food were distributed.

This support is urgently needed. Despite the agreed ceasefire, the humanitarian situation remains extremely tense: Babies and children are suffering from malnutrition, emergency shelters are overcrowded, and sanitary conditions are precarious. Infrastructure is largely in ruins, electricity and water supply are only sporadically available, and livelihoods are destroyed.

"The ceasefire brings hope, but a stable solution is still far off," says Peter Lack, director of Caritas Switzerland. "What is needed now are continuous and unrestricted relief deliveries, and that for months on end." Currently, access remains restricted: "Our partners report that transportation through destroyed roads, debris, and military checkpoints remains difficult."

Caritas Switzerland's partner organisations are ready to expand their aid further. Their warehouses in Egypt and Jordan are stocked, and additional capacities in the Gaza Strip are being created. Meanwhile, Caritas partners continue their previous support, including direct cash aid to help people procure essentials locally, or the supply of water, food packages, and tents. Injured and sick people are also being cared for in five medical care centres.

**Caritas increases aid, federal council must follow suit**

Caritas Switzerland is calling for donations to maintain and expand on-site assistance. After two years of brutal war, it is the humanitarian duty of the international community - and Switzerland - to support the people in the Gaza Strip quickly and effectively. In addition to the support measures that have been ongoing for two years, Caritas Switzerland is now increasing its emergency aid by a further 150,000 Swiss francs. At the same time, it is preparing the next steps to be able to provide humanitarian aid in the medium to long term as well.

Caritas is also urging the federal council to fulfil its responsibility and significantly increase humanitarian support for the civilian population. Following the contributions already pledged in September 2024 and May 2025, Switzerland should quickly provide an additional 10 million Swiss francs.

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