TOKYO: In the wake of several countries withdrawing support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Japan’s Red Cross Society is calling on people to donate relief money for the people in the crisis.

The Red Cross Society works with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which is operating in Gaza, and Egypt’s Red Crescent Society, which is responsible for supplying goods to Gaza. It also works together with Lebanon, Jordan and Syria through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

A spokesperson said: “Staff of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society are sending messages with mounting anxiety about the future, such as the hospital has been shut down due to the bombing, ambulance services are at risk, and how difficult it is to ensure the safety of evacuation sites for ordinary citizens.”

“The International Red Cross, including the Japanese Red Cross Society, is calling for compliance with international humanitarian law and humanitarian considerations. Palestinian Red Crescent has repeatedly issued statements saying it is unacceptable for medical facilities, paramedics, and refugees to be harmed by bombings.”

The Japanese Red Cross Society is accepting relief funds, which will be used for relief and reconstruction efforts by the Red Cross/Red Crescent Partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The Japanese Red Cross Society’s home page states: “Regarding the Palestine Red Crescent Society, the Japanese Red Cross Society has been providing medical support to hospitals operated by the company. The Palestine Red Crescent Society continues to provide core medical services such as ambulances under extremely dangerous conditions, as attacks on medical facilities and civilians intensify.”

“Some 14,000 people have sought safety in the Gaza branch of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and Al-Amal Hospital, which have come under repeated attacks. The three-day attack from January 2 to 4 left seven people dead, including a 5-day-old infant. The entrance to the hospital and dozens of homes and civilian gatherings around it were attacked, injuring dozens of people, including those who had taken shelter inside the compound.”