World Vision welcomes ceasefire as glimmer of hope, but warns humanitarian situation remains catastrophic
DATE – 15 January, 2025
World Vision welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza. It provides a crucial opportunity to move towards an end to the violence that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of children and families across the region. Fifteen months of conflict have devastated the enclave, leaving a million children in famine-like conditions.
“After more than a year of intense conflict, this ceasefire provides a glimmer of hope for a future free from violence,” said Andrew Morley World Vision International President and CEO. “Children across the region have suffered unimaginable hardships and trauma. This ceasefire can have a transformational impact if it leads to a sustainable end to hostilities on all sides. We call for consistent, unfettered humanitarian access so that enough aid can immediately reach the most vulnerable.”
The organisation also welcomes the release of hostages. The great suffering that all children have faced in this crisis underscores the urgent need to prioritise their protection in times of conflict. Children should never be targets, their right to receive humanitarian aid should always be respected.
While the pause in hostilities is a positive step, the broader situation across the region remains fragile. Conflict, continued violence, movement restrictions and economic collapse in the West Bank are all having devastating effects on livelihoods and children’s futures. The ceasefire in Gaza offers a hopeful opportunity to address these challenges and renew commitments to justice, stability, and peace for everyone.
Destruction in Gaza and movement restrictions in West Bank have left many unable to access food, water, or health care. In Lebanon and Syria, the displacement of thousands in recent months has compounded the struggles faced by already vulnerable communities. Mothers have given birth on the road or at shelters, and children have yet to receive standard vaccines. Families returning to damaged homes now face the immense task of rebuilding their lives, with winter adding to this urgency. For refugees and host communities alike, the need for humanitarian assistance remains as acute as ever.
"There is a long and challenging road ahead for rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and shattered lives across the region,” Morley says. “Rebuilding the destruction of the past 15 months will be a long-term ask. Lifesaving aid must finally be able to reach all children who need it, who have experienced unimaginable horror during the months of conflict and separation. This crisis has threatened an entire generation with long-term impacts and future threats to their physical and mental health. They must be allowed to start down the long road to rebuild hope for their futures.”
“As we begin a new year, we are reminded that this is a time of peace, hope, and renewal,” Morley continued. “In 2025, I pray we can all work together to build a future where all children can grow up in safety and dignity, and where peace can truly take root in every land.”
ENDS
Contact:
World Vision’s Middle East Crisis Response Communications & Advocacy Director, Kate Shaw
For more information, please visit www.wvi.org or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @WorldVision
Notes to editor:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian and development organisation dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
World Vision has been working in West Bank and Lebanon for 50 years and has been rapidly responding to increased needs as the conflict continues to escalate and more people are directly impacted. During the first year of the response, World Vision reached almost 700,000 children and families in the West Bank and Lebanon, rapidly scaling up support each time the violence escalated. This included delivering hot meals, food kits and cash assistance so families were able to eat; supporting schools with repairs; providing students e-learning support; increasing mental health and psychosocial capacity; equipping safe spaces in communities, including strengthening local health clinics and providing fire-fighting equipment; and enabling access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene needs. World Vision has also been responding to the Syria crisis for the past 14 years. The organisation is supporting children and families across the whole of Syria, including Lebanese and Syrian families who fled the escalations in Lebanon last autumn, and those affected by the change of regime in December.