Sir, – Concern Worldwide welcomes the ceasefire as part of the Gaza peace deal and urges all parties to the deal to seize the opportunity that this presents to ensure full-scale, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access commences immediately.

The top priority must be to ensure there is unhindered land access for the United Nations and humanitarian organisations to resume the full-scale distribution of food, medicines and essential supplies.

All barriers preventing the safe delivery of principled humanitarian aid must be removed.

Humanitarian workers must be protected and assisted in their work. International humanitarian law must be respected.

More than two years of conflict have resulted in widespread suffering, with famine confirmed by the Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) to be occurring in Gaza.

Although the ceasefire will halt hostilities, civilians continue to face impossible choices when trying to secure their own survival.

A major humanitarian response is urgently required if lives are to be saved. Without swift, decisive and sustained action, there will be more unnecessary deaths, and people will be denied the chance of recovery. Concern Worldwide is ready and willing to ramp up its response.

Concern is working through its partner in Gaza, CESVI, to truck clean water for drinking and cooking to displaced communities in 10 locations in Khan Younis, Deir al Balah and Gaza City. So far, we have reached over 100,000 people, with deliveries taking place daily.

CESVI is also working to improve water and sanitation – building toilets, installing cisterns, water pumps, rehabilitating sewage systems and conducting hygiene promotion sessions.

The ceasefire and wider implementation of all stages of the proposed peace agreement must be realised. As of today, the delivery of vital food and medical assistance must be allowed. – Yours, etc,

DOMINIC CROWLEY,

Chief executive,

Concern Worldwide,

Dublin 2.

Sir, – Tánaiste Simon Harris has stated he is to “intensify preparations for a substantial contr