Aid Blocked and Children Starving: Canadian Charities Urge Canada to Reject Israel’s Politicized Aid Mechanism
OTTAWA, ON — May 28, 2025 — Four leading Canadian international humanitarian organizations are calling on the Government of Canada to take urgent action as Israel’s newly imposed aid mechanism in Gaza obstructs life-saving humanitarian relief and risks further displacement and starvation of civilians — particularly children.
At a joint press conference held this morning on Parliament Hill, Human Concern International, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, and Save the Children Canada raised alarm over the decision by Israel and the United States to restrict the delivery of aid to a single politicized entity — the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — while sidelining experienced, impartial humanitarian organizations with proven capacity to deliver aid effectively and equitably.
For over two and a half months, aid organizations have faced intensifying barriers to access, while over a million people in Gaza face catastrophic levels of hunger. The newly introduced GHF mechanism has already resulted in chaotic and inequitable aid distribution, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. Organizations warn that aid is now being used as a tool of control — forcing Palestinians to relocate to areas sanctioned by Israel in order to access food and medicine.
“Gaza’s children are not dying from a lack of food—they are being starved by design. More than 930,000 children are now at risk of famine, this means extreme hunger that leads to death, and humanitarian aid continues to be blocked or delayed,” said Roula Kikhia, Humanitarian Advisor at Save the Children. “This is not a logistical failure—it’s a deliberate denial of access. Every delay costs lives.”
“We have 17 trucks of aid, fully funded by Canadians, packed with food and relief supplies, ready to enter Gaza — but we’ve had to put them on hold,” said Iftikhar Shaikh Ahmad, Chief Program Officer at Human Concern International. “We cannot in good conscience operate under a mechanism that weaponizes aid and excludes the most vulnerable.”
The four organizations issued a joint call to the Government of Canada to:
- Immediately reject the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as a legitimate conduit for aid.
- Act on its stated commitment with the UK and France to impose consequences in response to Israeli obstruction of humanitarian relief.
- Reinstate coordination with experienced, impartial humanitarian organizations — including the United Nations and Canadian NGOs.
- Ensure that Canadian-funded aid reaches all civilians, regardless of location, affiliation, or Israeli approval.
- Oppose the weaponization of aid and defend the core principles of humanitarian neutrality.
- Call for and actively pursue an immediate, definitive ceasefire to halt the ongoing killing and humanitarian collapse.
- Implement and enforce a full, two-way arms embargo with Israel, in accordance with Canada’s obligations under international law.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, these organizations are urging the Canadian public, media, and policymakers to pay attention — and to demand that Canada match its words with action.
Human Concern International
Oxfam Canada
Save the Children
Contact information
Laveza Khan | | 613-240-4157