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IOM Welcomes Ceasefire in Gaza, Urges Immediate Humanitarian Access

UNRWA, IOM partner in Gaza, delivering shelter materials to displaced Palestinians.  Credit: UNRWA 2024

Geneva, 15, January 2025  – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza and urges all parties to prioritise the safety and well-being of civilians, bringing an end to the violence and suffering.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a breaking point. Hospitals are destroyed, medical supplies depleted, and healthcare workers overwhelmed. Hunger is escalating, with food stocks exhausted and the World Food Programme (WFP) warning of famine, particularly in the besieged North. Families lack shelter and essential aid, leaving them exposed to the cold, with at least eight newborns tragically succumbing to hypothermia this winter.

IOM calls on all parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access. IOM, in coordination with its partners, stands ready to immediately scale up aid delivery, with nearly 4 million pre-positioned shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) items, as well as other essentials, ready for deployment from Jordan and Egypt to the most affected populations.

Immediate efforts are required to support displaced families, prioritise their safe return, and place their protection at the core of recovery efforts. IOM calls on all parties to uphold their commitments and respect international law to ensure the safety and dignity of affected populations.

IOM remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the ceasefire serves as a foundation for sustained relief and recovery, allowing families to rebuild their lives with dignity and safety.

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For more information, please contact:
media@iom.int 

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