Gaza Strip: 140 tonnes of aid from the Latin Patriarchate and Order of Malta since May

Nearly 40,000 people, 10% of the remaining population of the northern Gaza Strip after the massive displacement of some 2 million residents, have benefited from about 140 tonnes of humanitarian aid. This is the total amount of aid that the Sovereign Order of Malta, Malteser International, together with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, has delivered so far through a major emergency humanitarian aid initiative launched in May 2024 to meet the urgent needs of the Christian community in Gaza. The Latin Patriarchate took stock of this phase of the relief effort and, in the words of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, highlighted the moral and pastoral mandate that guides this mission:

“We share in the pain of our brothers and sisters in Gaza: for more than a year they have experienced the tragic reality of having lost everything. We are not only responding to their needs, but also to the moral obligation we feel towards our brothers and sisters in Gaza. We want them to know that we are by their side, that we share their suffering and that we will never abandon them.”

Two aid shipments per month. The Latin Patriarchate and its partners are committed to supporting this mission. In fact, there are plans to send two shipments of 100 tonnes of basic supplies every month. The Latin Patriarchate also reports that efforts are underway to set up a medical clinic on the grounds of the Church of the Holy Family to respond to medical emergencies, and to reopen the school of the Patriarchate. The inauguration of the entire project was marked by an extraordinary pastoral visit by the Patriarch of Jerusalem to the parish in Gaza on 16 May 2024.

A visit that the Patriarchate described as “historic”, made possible “after months of meticulous preparation and coordination”, during which essential aid parcels were delivered to the community sheltered in the Holy Family Parish complex. The Latin Patriarchate explained that enormous logistical and security challenges had to be faced and overcome, first to organise the shipment of essential relief supplies, and then to ensure their safe delivery and distribution to the population in need in the heart of northern Gaza. This effort resulted in the delivery of 20 tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables and 40 tonnes of food and hygiene items in September 2024. In October, the commitment was doubled, with 40 tonnes of fresh produce reaching the community. This month also saw the delivery of aid to more than 1,000 families in the Christian community and surrounding areas of the Holy Family Church complex: each family received 20 kilograms of non-perishable food items. At the same time, 5,000 families each received 5 kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables. Speaking to SIR a few days ago, the parish priest of Holy Family, Father Gabriel Romanelli, recalled that “many Muslim families living close to the parish are holding out thanks to Christian solidarity.” Less than a month ago, a shipment of aid arrived through the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Knights of Malta, and we have been able to help thousands of people. No aid arrives in northern Gaza and the population is at risk of starvation.” “With the delivery of humanitarian aid,” Patriarch Pizzaballa said, “we want them to know that we are by their side, that we share in their pain and that we will never abandon them.”