April 3, 2010

“Coalition to Break the Blockade on Gaza Announced”

Istanbul, Turkey – Following months of preparation, a coalition
bringing together a number of organizations and movements working to
break Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza was announced yesterday in
Istanbul. The coalition, comprised of the Turkey-based IHH (Insani
Yardim Vakfi) organization, the European Campaign to End the Siege on
Gaza (ECESG), the Greek Ship to Gaza campaign, the Swedish Ship to
Gaza campaign and the Free Gaza Movement, will launch a flotilla of
ships laden with cargo, media, parliamentarians, celebrities and
activists to Gaza next month.

The flotilla will be composed of at least eight vessels, including
three cargo ships, and will set sail from European ports starting on
May 3, reaching the port of Gaza later in the month. Over 500
passengers from more than 20 countries will take part, and over 5,000
tons of cargo, including cement, prefabricated housing, other building
materials, medical equipment, and educational supplies will be
delivered to Palestinians in Gaza.

The Free Gaza Movement has been launching ships to Gaza since August
2008, partnering with organizations and activists around the world on
these missions. In December 2009, IHH led a land convoy to Gaza that
brought tons of humanitarian aid and other supplies. In January 2010
the European Campaign brought 50 parliamentarians to Gaza in
solidarity with the Palestinian people and to witness the devastation
wrought by Israel’s illegal policies. Ship to Gaza/Greece and Ship to
Gaza/Sweden meanwhile have had ongoing campaigns in their countries to
raise awareness and funds for this effort and for materials to be
brought to Gaza.

“Through this coalition, these organizations will be able to maximize
resources, experience and commitment to ending the illegal siege on
Gaza. Even as Israel continues its daily persecution of Palestinians,
we will use this action to wake the world’s consciousness about the
crimes committed against Palestinians,” said IHH President Bulent
Yildirim.

The coalition invites organizations and individuals from around the
world to join the effort by providing supplies for Gaza and
contributing financial support for the mission.

Contact:
Free Gaza Movement – Greta Berlin - +33607374512; www.freegaza.org
ECESG – Mazen Kahel - +33 1 46 81 12 92; www.savegaza.eu
IHH – Ahmet Emin Dag – +90 530 341 1934; www.ihh.org.tr
Ship to Gaza / Greece – Vangelis Pissias - +30 697 200 9339; www.shiptogaza.gr
Ship to Gaza / Sweden – Dror Feiler - +46702855777; www.shiptogaza.se

END

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Once again, our governments have helped, thank you.  But they could have done SO much more. WHERE ARE THE TENTS.  The people of Haiti are still without shelter - this is a disgrace, but we the citizens of the world can help.

If you think this is a good idea, please google your local/national NGO & Gov't aid agencies and bombard them with requests to organise this.

Contacts, just click to email them, also please Tweet the world if on Twitter or Face Book etc.

OXFAM AMERICA

OXFAM UK

DEC, UK

Christian Aid

Department for International Development

 

To the Department for International Development (DfID)

URGENT RE: HAITI - A SOLUTION TO THE REPORTED "WORLD SHORTAGE OF TENTS"
Friday 29th January 2010

Dear Sirs

I have just heard on BBC News at 10 that the people of Haiti are still without shelter and that there are not enough tents in the world to supply them. It looks like virtually none have been delivered, apart from a few from the UK. I don't believe there aren't enough! What about the MILLIONS of tents owned by individuals and families across the planet? We have two tents which are hardly ever used and in any case we wouldn't dream of using them for a luxury holiday if they could be used to reduce the suffering in Haiti. Also I will not let anyone tell me such tents are the "wrong type of tent", surely any tent is better than no tent?

If the government joined forces with some NGOs to organise collections (I would be happy to be involved in West Sussex) we could deal with this issue in just a few days, but only if everyone mucks in. I guess the question is (and we are all saying "oh it's so sad what happened in Haiti") just how much does each of us really care about our human brothers and sisters in foreign countries? I know for sure that if we weren't so focussed on occupying foreign soil and killing people on foreign lands, we could be saving many more lives in foreign lands.

I would also like to mention that IF Western leaders had been genuine in their pledge of $4,000,000,000 reconstruction aid to Gaza, then the people of Gaza would have been in a position to donate their tents also. Tragically thousands who were made homeless by the Israeli bombardment of civilian areas over a year ago, are still living in poverty in their tents in Gaza today.

Yours Faithfully & in expectation of an IMMEDIATE reply please.

Adam Flude
01243 528 295
07886 215 329
adam@ukfpi.org