Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Ireland has generously donated €12,000 to support fuel provision for the displaced Christian community at Holy Family School in Gaza. This donation has been instrumental in ensuring the survival and basic needs of 600 displaced individuals, amid the region’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
ACN is Ireland’s leading charity protecting the rights of Christians and supporting the suffering and persecuted Church. Last year, it supported almost 6,000 projects in some 140 countries.
Since October 2023, Gaza has experienced unprecedented levels of displacement and suffering, exacerbated by severe fuel shortages. UN agencies estimate that over 1.9 million people, roughly 85% of Gaza’s population, have been forced from their homes. With shelters now operating at 4-5 times their intended capacity, the situation has reached critical levels.
Michael Kelly, director of public affairs for Aid to the Church in Need, Ireland, said “people feel so helpless about the situation in Gaza and really want to help in practical ways. While we may be powerless to stop the war and violence, we are not powerless to help those so desperately in need.
“Christians make up just a tiny portion of the people of Gaza, but it is our honour in ACN Ireland to be able to serve and support them and in supporting them, they have been able to feed and assist thousands of their Muslim friends and neighbours.
“The faith of the people of Holy Family Parish in Gaza is an inspiration, and the one thing they always say is: ‘don’t forget us’, and we in ACN Ireland are committed to ensure we never will,” Mr Kelly said.
ACN’s donation covers one-third of a fuel and diesel invoice for the Holy Family School, which has become a crucial shelter for displaced Christians. The €12,000 donation has been allocated to critical areas such as power supply, communications, water access, sanitation, and vehicle operations, all of which are vital for maintaining basic living conditions in this dire environment.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened due to ongoing fuel shortages, which have had a cascading effect on essential services. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 70% of Gaza’s population no longer has access to clean water due to the impact on desalination plants. The World Health Organisation reports that only 15 out of 36 hospitals are partially operational, with medical services severely restricted. In addition, the World Food Program has highlighted an alarming 900% increase in cooking gas prices, further exacerbating the suffering of civilians.
Prior to the crisis, Gaza required 1.4 million litres of fuel daily to maintain essential services, but current restrictions have reduced fuel supplies to less than 10% of pre-crisis levels. This has severely hindered the ability to deliver basic necessities, including food, medical care, and sanitation.
At Holy Family School, the grant has had an immediate and significant impact. The fuel has enabled the continued operation of power generators, providing essential electricity for lighting, medical equipment, and communication devices. It has also supported water pumps for drinking water and sanitation, ensuring hygiene facilities are operational for the displaced residents. Additionally, the fuel has allowed the maintenance of essential vehicle operations, facilitating emergency transport and the procurement of vital supplies.
In a region marked by instability and destruction, the €12,000 donation has provided critical support to a vulnerable community, allowing them to maintain dignity and basic living standards. The provision of fuel has helped ensure the resilience of the displaced Christian community, preserving essential services and enabling communication in an otherwise chaotic environment.
For more information on ACN, regarding its work or to offer support, please call +353 (1) 837 7516 and/or email [email protected]. You can also write to ACN Ireland, St Joseph’s, 151 St Mobhi Road. Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 HC82.
ENDS
Source: ACN (Ireland). Sharing Good News is grateful to ACN for this article.
Caption: Members of Gaza’s small Christian community distribute food (ACN)
