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As a community which strives for the well-being of all infants and young children, we at WAIMH want to express our dismay at what has happened and continues to unfold in the Middle East.
We are greatly concerned about the extensive loss of life, and harm done to children and families, the physical as well as profound psychological and emotional harm, and by the destruction of buildings and resources in Gaza. There has been ongoing and extremely tragic loss of life amongst the innocent civilian population of infants, children, and families in Gaza as a result of the Israeli military response following the terrorist killing of innocent people and hostage-taking by Hamas in Israel. We are profoundly dismayed by the terrifying capture of innocent children and families as hostages, many of whom are still not yet released. It is extremely distressing to see the diversion of urgently needed food and humanitarian resources away from civilians in need. The ongoing conflict across the borders in other areas is also frightening and destabilising. This extensive loss of life and the destruction of homes, facilities, and the fabric of Palestinian communities, will have a destructive impact for generations to come.
We urge the powers that be to immediately consider the effects of this humanitarian catastrophe upon whole communities. We implore political leaders to find ways to end this fighting now, moving to a just and sustained peace, for the sake of the helpless infants and children of today. It is they who will be the adults of the future.
Campbell Paul, President, WAIMH Astrid Berg, President-Elect, WAIMH
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