American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) has made the difficult decision to suspend its operations in Gaza following a tragic airstrike that claimed the lives of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK). This devastating incident comes shortly after the unexplained killing of Anera staff member Mousa Shawwa, further highlighting the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in the region.
In a news release issued on Tuesday, Anera expressed deep concern for the safety of its staff and their families, citing the recent spate of violence targeting aid workers as a major factor in their decision to halt operations in Gaza. The organization revealed that its logistics coordinator in Gaza, Mousa Shawwa, was killed in an airstrike while seeking shelter with his extended family in Deir Al-Balah on March 8. Shawwa had just returned from a humanitarian aid delivery and was still wearing his Anera jacket at the time of his death.
Since October 7, Anera has been working in collaboration with WCK to provide essential support to the people of Gaza. This partnership has resulted in the distribution of an average of 150,000 daily meals, millions of medical treatments, and thousands of critical emergency aid items to those in need. However, the recent escalation of violence and the tragic loss of aid workers have forced Anera to reassess the safety of its operations in the region.
The decision to suspend operations in Gaza underscores the immense challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones. Despite the risks, Anera remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities in the Middle East and will continue to explore ways to deliver aid effectively and safely in the future.
