IFRC welcomes Gaza ceasefire, calls for immediate scaling up of humanitarian aid

China

IFRC welcomes Gaza ceasefire, calls for immediate scaling up of humanitarian aid

2025-01-17 11:41 Last Updated At：01-18 01:47

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, issued a statement on Thursday welcoming the Gaza ceasefire agreement and emphasizing the urgent need to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza immediately.

The statement highlighted that the ceasefire agreement provides an opportunity for the people of Gaza, who have endured 15 months of devastating conflict, as well as for detainees awaiting release and their families. So immediate efforts must be made to seize the current window of opportunity to save lives.

Gaza is currently facing an extreme humanitarian crisis. Widespread conflict has destroyed homes, schools, medical facilities, and critical infrastructure. Recent severe weather has exacerbated the disaster, with plummeting temperatures and heavy rain making life even more challenging for families living in temporary camps.

However, humanitarian aid efforts remain severely hindered by border closures and other restrictions. Since May 2024, the Rafah crossing at the Egypt-Gaza border has been closed, leaving large quantities of aid supplies stranded outside the Gaza Strip.

The statement called for ensuring the immediate and secure delivery of aid supplies to all areas, including northern Gaza, protecting civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical facilities, and the unconditional release of all detainees.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) released a report on Thursday, citing analysis from Save the Children, which revealed that an average of 475 children in Gaza have suffered lifelong disabilities each month in 2024 due to attacks involving explosive weapons. This equates to more than 15 children per day experiencing severe injuries, including significant physical trauma and hearing loss.

In addition, tens of thousands of families are still residing in at least 80 shelters operated by the UNRWA in the Gaza Strip. Many of these people have been displaced multiple times, with some having been dislocated 10 times or more.

The report also stated that since the outbreak of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict on October 7, 2023, the death toll among UNRWA team members had reached 266 as of January 9, 2025.

First maritime film festival launched on China's homegrown cruise ship

The inaugural maritime film festival kicked off on board China's first domestically built large cruise ship Adora Magic City on Sunday, with classic movie screenings, exhibitions of cinematic memorabilia and interactive activities together creating a special journey for travelers.

Jointly presented by Adora Cruises and Changchun Film Group, guests are treated with movie screenings, panel sessions with actors, as well as interactive performances themed on classic movies during a five-day voyage.

The themed cruise season will run until the end of June on three cruise ships.

"Through the in-depth expansion of the 'film plus' model, we combine resources across sectors to explore new pathways for the integrated development of the film and television industry and the cruise economy," said Zhuang Yan, chairman of Changchun Film Group, at the opening event.

Actor Hou Yong, who is on the maiden voyage of the film-themed cruise season, said he was looking forward to having interactive experiences with audiences.

"During this journey, I also look forward to those chances of encounters -- with film audiences, with film enthusiasts. As an actor, I feel I have the obligation, the capability, and the responsibility to pass on my understanding of Chinese cinema to them," he said.

Adora Magic City, 323.6 meters long, has a gross tonnage of 135,500 tonnes and can accommodate up to 5,246 passengers in 2,125 guest rooms.