"With nothing to do, nowhere to go, no schooling, no commerce," Gaza is "a very still quiet and dark place," said Michael La Civita, director of communications at the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).
CNEWA is working with numerous Church entities in Gaza, as it is in a "permanent state of waiting," La Civita told "EWTN News Nightly" on June 2.
Pope Pius XI founded CNEWA in 1926 to give pastoral and humanitarian support to northeast Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and India. CNEWA has a worldwide network of people committed to helping those most in need, regardless of where they are.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, there are "upwards of 2 million people, most of whom are displaced," and "their homes have been destroyed," La Civita said.
There is "severe malnutrition and concerns for the health and well-being of children, expecting mothers, [and] the elderly living in extremely trying circumstances," he said.
In Gaza, there is "no school, no shelter," and "very little … access to food," he said. "We're concerned about, of course, things like hepatitis A and other diseases that are associated with the lack of sanitation, water, clean water, potable water, as well as healthcare."
There have also been recent reports of child exploitation and child marriages in Gaza, but CNEWA is "not dealing so much with child marriages thus far because we have not been confronted with that with our partners," La Civita said.
It "is not a particular issue that we've yet had to confront," La Civita siad. But "the situation there economically is pretty horrific. I can imagine all sorts of nefarious things happening, such as that."
"We're dealing with situations as they see them, he said.
"Much of what we do is … psychosocial work for children and the elderly and vulnerable populations, their parents, their families," he said. CNEWA also offers "medical care for mothers and expecting mothers."
Pope's call for assistance
CNEWA continues to aid the population as Pope Leo XIV continues to renew his appeal for humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
While speaking to journalists outside Castel Gandolfo on May 26, the Holy Father called on the international community to assist the people of Gaza, insisting that human rights must be respected "for everyone."
"I would also like to renew this not only as an invitation, but truly as an appeal," he said. The Holy Father urged "all authorities to assist and accompany the people of Gaza, and to help begin reconstruction."
Pope Leo noted that, "unfortunately, the people of Gaza are still not receiving humanitarian aid."
"The people are truly suffering," and they "continue to suffer greatly," Pope Leo said.
To answer the Church's call, CNEWA works "with the local Church communities," including "the Latin Church of the Holy Family and the Greek Orthodox Parish of St. Porphyrius, as well as Christian organizations like the International organization International Orthodox charities as well as Caritas," La Civita said.
How the faithful can help
In order to help, Catholics and other Christians can "first of all, pray," La Civita said. "Because prayer ... works miracles, and we need miracles."
"Second, we need a willingness for there to be peace. We need a willingness on all sides to want to establish some sense of stability for the people that live there," he said.
There is a need for "access [to] vehicles as promised," La Civita added. "What is needed to deliver aid is upwards of 600 trucks a day. We're lucky if we get 400 a week carrying supplies."
"So if you're only getting 400 trucks a week and what you need are more than 600 a day to feed a malnourished population, to provide them with medicines and water and food — you have a difficult, difficult situation."
"I can't imagine stability returning or any sense of normality returning until you have access to materials, access to healthcare, access to food and water."
