Letter to Secretary Rice
1 August 2006
Oxfam America and other aid agencies call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to those in need.
28 July 2006
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Madame Secretary,
On behalf of the undersigned U.S.-based international humanitarian and development organizations, we write to you with urgent and great concern regarding the current crisis in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. As all parties continue to escalate this conflict, which is having a devastating impact on innocent civilians, we urge the United States to do all in its power to broker an immediate cease-fire so that lives can be spared while a lasting peace plan is negotiated.
The number of civilian casualties throughout the region is growing. Current estimates are that more than 700,000 have been forced to flee their homes, more than 300 Lebanese civilians have been killed, and more than 600 have been wounded – about one-third of them children. In Israel, 28 Israelis have been killed and more than 200 wounded. In Gaza, where continued armed hostilities have also limited humanitarian access, the Palestinian toll now stands at over 100 killed (including at least 16 children) and more than 300 injured. And, just this week, four UN peacekeepers were killed amid the fighting.
We call upon the United States to use its influence to ensure immediate, safe and continuous access for humanitarian organizations to deliver necessary relief assistance in Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and Israel. All parties must uphold obligations under international humanitarian law to provide access to humanitarian assistance for civilians in all areas impacted by the conflict. All parties must ensure that civilians are protected in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention. We should condemn in the strongest terms any indiscriminate use of force in civilian areas by all sides, including the deliberate targeting of residential areas and civilian infrastructure such as rail stations, airports, power plants and bridges.
We further urge the United States, as a leader in promoting democracy and peace in the Middle East, to deploy a high-ranking special envoy, to lead a sustained, consistent and energetic diplomatic effort to negotiate a lasting resolution to the underlying conflicts as soon as possible.
Again, we strongly urge that the United States take action to bring an immediate stop to the violence and the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation that it has given rise to in the region. Only the US has the ability to do this effectively.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss the evolving humanitarian situation in the region, and the impact it is having on civilian populations. We will contact your office to arrange a suitable time.
Sincerely,
Richard Stearns
President
World Vision
Helene D. Gayle
President and CEO
CARE
Farshad Rastegar, PhD
President & CEO
Relief International
Hugh Parmer
President
American Refugee Committee International
George Rupp
President
International Rescue Committee
Neal Keny-Guyer
CEO
Mercy Corps
Khalil Jassemm
CEO
Life for Relief and Development
Rev. John L. McCullough
Executive Director
Church World Service
Richard M. Walden
President & CEO
Operation USA
Raymond C. Offenheiser
President
Oxfam America
