ReliefAid’s founder Mike Seawright has written to the New Zealand Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Members of Parliament, urging immediate and concrete action in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
With over 60,000 people reportedly killed, and more than two million displaced and facing starvation, the situation is critical. Our team has delivered life-saving aid in Gaza since October 2023. This letter outlines the action we believe New Zealand must take now.
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Dear Prime Minister Luxon and Minister Peters,
I am writing to urge the New Zealand Government to take stronger, immediate action to address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
New Zealand-founded aid organisation ReliefAid has delivered life-saving assistance in Gaza since October 2023, witnessing the humanitarian catastrophe unfold firsthand. While I commend the principled stance the Government has already taken regarding Gaza, New Zealand must do more to ensure that words turn into action. More than 60,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza since October 2023, including seven members of our own team.
Over two million people are at risk of dying, not only from airstrikes, but also hunger, thirst and disease, while life-saving aid sits at the border just metres away. After an eleven-week blockade, only a trickle of aid has entered Gaza, but it is nowhere near enough to tackle the critical humanitarian crisis. For families in Gaza, words mean very little. This crisis demands more – it demands sustained pressure and meaningful action.
I urge the Government to work with international partners to:
- Demand an immediate and sustained ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas and full humanitarian access to Gaza.
- Uphold its commitment to international law by calling for accountability and making clear, through tangible measures, that violations by both Hamas and Israel will not be tolerated.
- Join other governments who have already indicated they will take economic and political decisive steps, including targeted sanctions, if Israel does not reverse its current course.
ReliefAid has delivered life-saving aid to over 850,000 people in Gaza, but right now, our work delivering safe drinking water is becoming increasingly difficult. As Israel declares plans to take full control of Gaza, families are left with no refuge or humanitarian assistance. Our staff are being killed. Families are being killed by bombs and starvation.
There is no end in sight to the suffering of families in Gaza unless governments like ours choose to act. I am available to discuss why this tangible action is urgently required.
Yours Sincerely,
Mike Seawright
