NZ Government needs to act now on humanitarian visas

• The entire population in the Gaza Strip (2.23 million) is facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Half of the population of the Gaza Strip (1.11 million people) is expected to face catastrophic conditions over the next three months.


• More than half a million children living in occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)i are at risk of mental health issues due to the extreme exposure to conflict and violence they have witnessed and experienced.


• Nearly 1.3 million children living in the West Bank are at risk falling behind in their studies as one in every five schools report regular violent incidents.


• Two out of three villages supported by World Vision (65%) have been affected by more than one episode of violence a week in the West Bank by the end of January.


• Four out of five of World Vision-supported villages in the West Bank report they cannot regularly access health care.


• Two-thirds of Lebanon’s population living within 10 kilometres of the southern border have now been displaced.

World Vision New Zealand has renewed calls for the New Zealand Government to grant humanitarian visas for Palestinians with family ties to this country, as the world marks the grim milestone of six-months of conflict in Gaza.

The humanitarian organsiation says more than a million children will suffer life-long consequences to their mental and physical health unless an immediate end to the hostilities can be reached.

World Vision’s head of advocacy and justice, Rebekah Armstrong, says the New Zealand Government has the power to make a difference for at least some children and must act.

“It’s important for the Government to continue to push for a permanent ceasefire at an international level, but it’s also important to think about the tangible actions New Zealand can take to assist in this devastating humanitarian crisis.

“Offering Palestinians in Gaza, who have family members in New Zealand, a lifeline through a humanitarian visa is one way we can help from afar. New Zealand has helped in this way before, and we can do again. This is not an impossible ask.

“We urge the government to show compassion, be a good global citizen and do everything they can to grant humanitarian visas, evacuation and fulsome resettlement support,” she says.

The situation in Gaza is dire. Last month, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), an independent and apolitical organisation, confirmed a steep rise in child deaths from malnutrition in the Gaza Strip.

World Vision International President, Andrew Morely, says there must be a commitment to peace.

“The toll on children’s mental and physical health, and their education, is utterly devastating and will affect an entire generation unless leaders step up to pursue an immediate and lasting peace. This continues to be our enduring hope and prayer,” he says.

World Vision, Regional Leader, Middle East Eastern Europe, Eleanor Monbiot, says a generation of children’s futures hangs in the balance.

“Within the space of six months their lives have drastically changed; they have witnessed violence and death, been displaced, suffered the most catastrophic levels of hunger, been unable to access basic health care, coped with mental health and emotional issues, and had their access to education compromised or even entirely cut-off.”

She says children in Gaza and across the region are at risk of never knowing a normal childhood if they continue to endure the indirect impacts of the hostilities, displacement and movement restrictions, such as acute hunger and preventable health issues, as well as increased stress and other mental and emotional health issues.

Monbiot says the risk of famine in Gaza is now acute. Many families are going multiple days and nights without food if they do not immediately start receiving lifesaving food assistance and access to basic services.

“What is happening is a humanitarian tragedy that has already had terrible consequences for children in particular, who have been largely overlooked in this crisis.

“The safety, security, and well-being of all civilians, especially children, must be the priority for all parties. Children should not be victims of a conflict that is no fault of their own. They have a legal right to protection. Hostages need to be reunited with their families. All international actors and those directly involved in the conflict must guarantee the protection of innocent children,” Monbiot says.

World Vision says time is running out if we are going to save the lives of children who are living in the shadow of this crisis. Just one day of this inconceivable pain, let alone 180 days, is too long for any child to endure such unprecedented suffering.

The organisation is calling for sustainable permanent ceasefire, as well as the end of all restrictions that are preventing food and lifesaving aid from reaching the civilian population, especially children, their families and vulnerable groups.

World Vision says time is running out if we are going to save the lives of children who are living in the shadow of this crisis. Just one day of this inconceivable pain, let alone 180 days, is too long for any child to endure such unprecedented suffering. The organisation is calling for sustainable permanent ceasefire, as well as the end of all restrictions that are preventing food and lifesaving aid from reaching the civilian population, especially children, their families and vulnerable groups.