Message from the CEO of Asfari Foundation
Dear Partners and Friends,
These are challenging times we are all facing. The vicious cycle of violence relentlessly ravages our region, undermining the aspirations and hopes of its inhabitants to live in peace within cohesive communities grounded in the principles of freedom, justice, equality, and respect for human values.
Together, we watch with profound sadness and anger the aggression our people in Gaza endure, claiming thousands of innocent lives and wreaking havoc on the infrastructure—from homes, schools, and hospitals to civil and societal establishments that Gazans painstakingly built with their blood and sweat over decades of blockade, wars, with only scarce resources available. This devastation occurs in an area not exceeding 365 square kilometres, where over 2 million Palestinians reside, 60% of whom are children.
While international and humanitarian laws assure the right to protection for civilians in times of conflict, we are witnessing the systematic destruction of ambulance vehicles, along with the deliberate targeting of paramedics, civil defence teams, firefighters, and journalists.
Schools, which serve as sanctuaries for civilians, are under bombardment, leading international organisation’s and charities to evacuate their staff. To date, this conflict has resulted in the mass displacement and forced migration of nearly one million Palestinians. Every day, the World Health Organisation issues warnings that the situation in Gaza is becoming untenable, primarily due to a stifling blockade enforced by Israel, causing shortages of water, electricity, fuel, food, and essential medicines.
In this recurring cycle of violence, destruction, and loss, this is not the first time we’ve witnessed such horrors, nor will it be the last unless we find just and sustainable solutions. These solutions must safeguard respect for human rights and champion the right of self-determination for the Palestinian people, as well as for every community in the region and beyond. Without justice, there can be no peace!
The Syrian crisis, which has been ongoing for over a decade, has led to millions of refugees and displaced persons. Every day, the Syrian people continue their steadfast fight, seeking freedom and striving for a life characterised by justice and dignity.
These wars and conflicts place a significant burden on countries in the region, notably Lebanon and Jordan. They threaten an already delicate balance of political and social stability, set against a backdrop of intricate realities shaped by both security challenges and economic hardships.
We are united in this shared journey. While we acknowledge the road ahead is long and the dream at times may appear remote, we still believe firmly that it’s within our reach.
Grounded in our unwavering belief in the justice of the causes that bind us, the humanitarian principles we cherish, the immense potential of our youth, the capabilities across every facet of our societies, and the inherent right of future generations to live in peace and dignity, we will persistently stand side by side, bolstering one another with enduring hope and unwavering determination.
In the context of our continued efforts to support civil society and amplify its role in meeting the needs of the communities they serve and represent, the Asfari Foundation has backed a coalition of Palestinian civil society institutions. This is an appeal for donations and action under the auspices of the Arab Foundations Forum: https://arabfoundationsforum.org/gaza-donor-appeal-2023/.
On behalf of the Asfari Foundation and its team, we extend our deepest solidarity to our partners in the civil society organisations of Gaza. We sincerely wish for the safety of our partners, their families, and all who are dear to them, standing resolutely with them in their righteous pursuit of a life filled with peace and justice.
-Muna Abbas, CEO of Asfari Foundation