2023-11-09 08:32:56
On November 8, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Japan signed 100,307 online signatures calling for an “immediate end to indiscriminate attacks,” “protection of medical care,” and “restoration of humanity” in Israel and Palestine. I submitted the brush to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MSF Japan put out a petition on social media, and 100,000 people gathered their signatures in regarding two weeks.
Improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip
The escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine that has continued since October 7 has left many civilians dead and patients, medical workers, and medical facilities exposed to repeated attacks. From October 24th to November 7th, MSF-Japan will appeal to the Japanese government for the need to quickly de-escalate the situation and improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. They called for an online signature calling for “protection of medical care” and “restoration of humanity.”
We submitted the collected signatures to the Japanese government on November 8th.
Shinjiro Murata, MSF Japan Executive Director, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reiterated these points to Iwao Horii, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and handed over his signature.
Deputy Minister Horii said, “The situation in the Gaza Strip is becoming more and more serious, and I am deeply saddened that ordinary citizens are being affected.” After mentioning Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s visit to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, as well as the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Tokyo from November 7th to 8th, the Japanese government continued to discuss related issues in light of the ever-changing local situation. He stated that Japan will persistently and proactively continue diplomatic efforts aimed at quickly calming the situation and improving the humanitarian situation by communicating with countries and international organizations.
Director-General Murata explained that the medical system in Gaza has almost collapsed due to the depletion of fuel and supplies, and that there have been attacks on medical facilities, such as hospitals and ambulances being damaged by bombings. Regarding the signing, he explained, “The reason we set the period for only two weeks was because we wanted to improve the situation as quickly as possible.” He continued, “The fact that we were able to get support from over 100,000 people in such a short period of time means that many people in Japan are saddened by the current situation and want the situation to improve. I once once more request that the Japanese government continue to work with the international community to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza as soon as possible.”
Message from Shinjiro Murata, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières Japan
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many people who have signed an online petition calling for an “immediate end to indiscriminate attacks,” “protection of medical care,” and “restoration of humanity” in Israel and Palestine.
This online signature campaign was completed over a short period of regarding two weeks starting October 24th, but with the cooperation of many people, we collected 100,307 signatures and submitted them to the Japanese government.
Approximately 300 Médecins Sans Frontières staff have been working in the Gaza Strip. Despite the huge need for aid, widespread bombing continues, security is impossible, and humanitarian supplies are inadequate, forcing us to suspend most operations. The situation is that there is no such thing.
As a medical and humanitarian aid organization, Médecins Sans Frontières wants to do more. But now that is no longer possible.
On November 6th, one of our staff members working as an MSF laboratory technician in Gaza lost his life along with his family. Dozens of people were reportedly killed when their homes in Shati refugee camp were bombed and the buildings collapsed.
We remain concerned regarding our colleagues in Gaza. Many of them are still providing life-saving medical care in hospitals across Gaza.
Attacks on medical staff are reprehensible in and of themselves, but on top of that, attacks on medical services in conflict zones threaten the lives of thousands and tens of thousands of people on the ground who depend on those medical facilities as their lifelines. It is an act that deprives people of access to medical care.
We have seen in Syria, Yemen and other places that this can lead to lives that might be saved, and lives that might be saved, not saved. I feel very angry that something similar is happening in Gaza right now.
There is no safe place in Gaza, which is subject to indiscriminate bombing. According to the Ministry of Health, more than 10,000 people have already died, including 4,000 children. While world leaders fail to take meaningful action, millions of people across Gaza continue to lose their families, homes, and lives.
We appeal once more. We must avoid further casualties in Gaza and ensure that the necessary assistance is available.
Médecins Sans Frontières will continue to raise its voice so that the situation improves as soon as possible. Please continue to lend us your support.
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