Media CenterCRS Urges Quick Congressional Approval of President's Humanitarian Aid Request for Gaza, Ukraine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Nikki Gamer
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
(978) 884-0003
 

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, Oct. 23, 2023 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international aid agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, issued the following statement about the humanitarian support for Gaza and Ukraine included in the $106 billion supplemental request announced Friday.

“Catholic Relief Services commends the administration's call for increased humanitarian assistance for Gaza and Ukraine and their cascading impacts. We stand at a critical juncture with the lives of millions of our brothers and sisters at stake—a reality that beckons us to act swiftly and decisively to prevent untold suffering. With ongoing emergency response efforts in both Gaza and Ukraine, we at CRS have witnessed the staggering amount of need as supplies dwindle and food and water become scarce. Under these dire circumstances, we urge Congress to fund the administration’s request for humanitarian assistance – which demonstrates American solidarity and is a lifeline to those caught up in these brutal conflicts. 

CRS and its partner aid workers stand mobilized and ready to meet the needs of displaced families. Our staff report that children lack food and water, mothers cannot feed their infants, and families lack the most basic shelter. Recent aid convoys entering Gaza meet only a tiny fraction of the humanitarian need for two million Gazans. The humanitarian funding in this supplemental request is urgently needed.

Furthermore, we join hands with all people working toward peace and reconciliation and we implore the global community to unite in this noble pursuit. May our collective actions pave the way for a future where peace prevails, healing begins, and the dignity of every human being is cherished and protected.”  

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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