Trócaire thanks people of Cork for their donations

TRÓCAIRE has thanked people in Cork for their donations, which the charity said has recently helped to deliver medical aid to civilians in Gaza.

The Irish NGO launched its Christmas appeal this week which is focusing on ‘Children in Conflict’.

Speaking in relation to Gaza, Trócaire CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, said the situation is posing “huge challenges for Trócaire’s partners but they are making a difference thanks to the support of the public in Co Cork”.

“Trócaire’s partner organisation, Medical Aid for Palestinians, is working against the odds in Gaza to ensure that those injured, many of them children, receive urgent medical care to give them the best chance of survival.

“Another partner, Caritas Jerusalem, has seen their medical centre and clinic in Gaza City damaged in the bombardment but staff are continuing to strive to provide whatever medical support they can. 

“This life-saving work has been made possible by the generosity of people here at home,” she added.

Ms De Barra backed calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. 

The recent temporary truce allowed for limited humanitarian aid to reach those desperately in need of food, water, and medical assistance, and the release of hostages, she said, but added that "a pause is not enough".

“A permanent ceasefire needs to be brokered to bring an end to the hostilities that have seen thousands of Palestinian and Israeli civilian lives lost, the majority of them women and children,” she said.

Ms De Barra also moved to remind people that not alone in Gaza are children “bearing the brunt of violence and conflict”.

“From Gaza to Ukraine, from Ethiopia to Sudan, today we are highlighting the fact that over 450 million children in the world - one out of every six young lives - are living in a conflict zone,” she said.

To donate to Trócaire visit www.trocaire.org.