Joseph Anthony

Save the Children International CEO Inger Ashing spoke at the UN Security Council yesterday to say this: indecision is complicity. Children in Gaza don't need aid drops or inhumane, militarised distribution systems - they need Member States to take action. The Government of Israel could end this famine today. It could end its deliberate obstruction of aid and let humanitarians do our job. Instead, children are being systematically starved to death, slowly and painfully. This is starvation as a method of war in its starkest terms.

Concluding her speech, @save_children CEO @ingerashing explains to #UNSC members what happens to a child's body when they are being starved: "After one day without food, children begin to change - they suffer a loss of energy, concentration, and become upset. After several days without nourishment, their bodies start to degrade. Their bodies begin consuming their own fat to survive. They lose their appetite and become unable to focus. After two weeks, the process accelerates, and their small bodies rapidly deteriorate. Heart, liver and kidneys weaken, infections spread with ease as their immune system collapses. They become vulnerable to diarrhoea, pneumonia, sepsis. At this stage there is no fat left, so the body begins to literally consume itself, slowly, painfully eating the muscles and the other vital organs. Bellies swell and skin becomes fragile. At three weeks the process of starvation has reached its final catastrophic phase. Children get lesions on their eyes and go blind, hair falls out, organs shut down. Unable to move or speak or cry out, they draw their last breath. Those who do get urgent nutrition and medical support often grow up stunted. A stunted child will likely have impaired cognitive development, a weakened immune system and increased risk of chronic diseases. Babies born to malnourished mothers are likely to be forever smaller themselves. Many effects of famine cannot be reversed. The death and loss, the physical and mental harm, will last lifetimes and even generations. In the words of a nutrition nurse who works in our now silent clinics, 'Hunger is written on the bodies of our children, a constant reminder that survival itself has become uncertain in Gaza.' For almost two years, the international community has failed to protect Palestinian children. Until you choose to act, this is the fate you are guaranteeing a generation of children in Gaza. Inaction is a choice. Indecision is complicity. Children have reached their breaking point. Where is yours?"

STATEMENT: Inger Ashing, @SaveCEO_Intl at the #UNSecurityCouncil #UNSC today: "As we speak children in Gaza are systematically being starved to death. This is a deliberate policy. This is starvation as a method of war in its starkest terms." savethechildren.net/news/save-chil…

GAZA: “What kind of a world have we built to let at least 100 children be starved to death while the food, water and medical supplies to save them wait just miles away at a border crossing?" @AhmadAlhendawi @save_children savethechildren.net/news/100-child…

❗ Please watch and share ❗ The conflict in Sudan is having a catastrophic impact on children. Since the conflict began over two years ago, thousands of children have been killed and millions have been forced to flee their homes due to the violence. 1/4

GAZA: About 130 children are being born daily in Gaza as Israeli authorities' total siege on supplies enters its second month. Mothers & newborns are at risk as medical & food supplies run out & a lack of flour closes all bakeries. Spokespeople available. savethechildren.net/news/about-130…

Minister Amichai Chikli deliberately distorts facts and law. So, let’s correct this perversion once and for all: 1/6 International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) providing humanitarian and development assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza do not seek to operate in #Israel but in #Palestinian territory, which Israel – according to the International Court of Justice - unlawfully occupies.

A statement from our CEO @MoazzamTMalik on the news that the government is cutting the UK aid budget to fund an increase in defence spending: “We are stunned by this decision to cut the aid budget in order to increase military spending. It is a betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable children and the UK’s national interest. By jeopardising the UK’s partnership with countries across the world and international organisations, it signals a withdrawal from efforts to tackle climate change, global poverty and inequality, and conflict and humanitarian needs. It will damage efforts to tackle global health needs and pandemics. It will add to economic instability internationally. The impacts will have direct consequences for children and families in the UK as well as around the world. This decision comes at a time when global solidarity has never been more important. Other countries will watch the UK’s decision and are likely to follow suit in reducing commitments to international collaboration. It will undermine aspirations to build a ‘rules based order’ that is so essential for the UK’s long-term security and prosperity. It will make the world a more dangerous place for children now and in the future. This decision flies in the face of the government’s commitment to respectful partnerships with the global south. There is nothing respectful about slashing lifelines for families in the most dangerous places. Earlier this week, the Prime Minister promised to ‘stand with Ukraine’. Now he’s serving notice on the support needed by the country’s children, who have been forced from their homes, seen their schools bombed and lived in fear for three years. Through UK aid, we all help protect children facing the worst the world has to offer. We have every reason to be proud of it and the government should fearlessly protect it.”

On 20-21 February, @SCRtweets and @1612Watchlist, with co-sponsorship from @childreninwar, @BelgiumUN, @NorwayUN, and @MaltaUNMission, organised the first-ever capacity-building retreat for #UNSC experts who cover the children and armed conflict agenda (#CAAC).

“We’re outraged by senseless and brutal attack on innocent children in #DRC. This latest attack underscores the urgent need for increased protection and support for affected people and communities” - Greg Ramm, @save_children Country Director #DRC savethechildren.net/news/least-28-…

Israel killed more Palestinians in Gaza in the last 24 hours since the ceasefire was announced than Israelis who are supposed to be freed in the first phase of the deal

Today the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2761. @SavetheChildren applauds this critical step to mitigate the unintentional impacts of UN sanctions on the needs of children living in some of the worst humanitarian crises around the world.

Big news in the sanctions world. Today, the UNSC indefinitely extended the humanitarian carveout of the Al Qaeda/ISIL sanctions regime. What does this mean, & why is it so important? A quick 🧵.

Save the Children is devastated & outraged at the killing of staff member Ahmad Faisal Isleem Al-Qadi, 39, in an Israeli airstrike in #Gaza. Our second colleague killed in Gaza. We condemn this attack in the strongest terms & demand an investigation,” @SaveCEO_Intl

Just now -- acclaimed British surgeon testifies to #UK Parliament, detailing how #IDF "quadcopters" would arrive at the scene of airstrikes in #Gaza & "pick-off" / "shoot" the injured, including children.

Immediate action, within days not weeks, is required from all actors who are directly taking part in the conflict, or have influence on its conduct, to avert and alleviate this catastrophic situation. #theIPCinfo #Gaza #Famine ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/user…

In a world with a lot of crises, the #UnitedNations is torn over which ones to prioritize - and how to solve them. @CrisisGroup broke down what UN members want to talk about, and how, on the basis of #UNGA79. crisisgroup.org/global/conflic…

BREAKING: #Gaza massacre reportedly kills 50 children underscoring urgent need for global intervention. "There must be a ceasefire, and aid must be allowed to reach people. All states have a legal obligation to prevent the crime of genocide.” savethechildren.net/news/gaza-mass…

QUOTE: #Gaza "In the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks have targeted a school-turned-shelter, Kamal Adwan Hospital, and residential homes in Khan Younis -  the very places where children are supposed to be safest, protected under international law." 👇 savethechildren.net/news/gaza-dead…

UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk refers to events in North #Gaza "the darkest moment" of the past year in what is perhaps his strongest statement yet regarding the situation in #Palestine. He calls on world leaders to act now: "Under the Geneva Conventions, States have an obligation to act when a serious violation of international humanitarian law has been committed. Under the Genocide Convention, State parties also have the responsibility to act to prevent such a crime, when risk becomes apparent." Warns that "international rule of law is being progressively dismantled" and that "the Israeli Government’s policies and practices in northern Gaza risk emptying the area of all Palestinians. We are facing what could amount to atrocity crimes, including potentially extending to crimes against humanity.”