-To Ensure Safe Aid Access
By Vaye Lepolu
Gaza – As humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, global NGO ActionAid is raising alarm over the devastating impact of the ongoing siege and limited humanitarian aid, calling for a permanent ceasefire and unhindered, sustained delivery of aid.
According to Dr. Salha from Al-Awda Hospital, Gaza has been under total siege since March 2, with no food, medicine, or aid reaching many areas. “We used to care for 200 women and children a day, now it’s over 2,000. We simply can’t cope,” she said. Malnutrition is surging among mothers and newborns, leading to rising cases of caesarean sections, miscarriages, and babies born underweight.
“There’s no formula, no milk. Supplies have run out. We are out of options and time. Our staff are surviving on one meal a day,” Dr. Salha added, noting that three staff members collapsed last week from hunger. “This is a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Jamil Sawalmeh, Country Director of ActionAid Palestine, stressed that hospitals are barely functional, medical staff are overwhelmed, and water and food are critically scarce. “Babies are going without milk. Aid distribution sites have become death traps where people are being killed trying to receive help,” he said.
Sawalmeh added that even aid workers are affected. “Our own colleagues and partners have been forced to reduce their working hours to just three days a week.”
While welcoming the temporary humanitarian pause and recent airdrops, ActionAid warned that such short-term measures are inadequate. “Gaza needs an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the sustained delivery of aid led by the UN, UNRWA, and other international agencies,” Sawalmeh emphasized.
“This is a critical moment. We need global pressure on Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and allow safe, unfettered access for aid—not risky airdrops or pauses,” he said. “We need a real, lasting pause and a safe aid delivery system now.
ActionAid is a global federation committed to achieving a world free from poverty and injustice. The organization advocates for social justice, gender equality, and the eradication of poverty, striving for a fair and sustainable world where all people live in dignity.
At same time Actionaid, In a significant push to promote youth leadership and democratic inclusion, ActionAid Liberia has launched the Youth AHEAD Project, aiming to equip young people—especially young women—with the knowledge, skills, and tools to meaningfully participate in electoral and governance processes.
Speaking during the launch, ActionAid Liberia’s Country Director, Lakshmi Harris, emphasized the importance of civic empowerment. “This project aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to drive change, enabling them to advocate for their inclusion in electoral processes and democratic governance,” Harris stated.
She noted that while youth make up more than half of Liberia’s population, they are often used to advance political agendas but are rarely involved in decision-making. “If young people are empowered with the right skills and knowledge about governance and democracy, they can make informed choices and help educate their peers.”
A major component of the Youth AHEAD Project is increasing young women’s participation in politics, as women remain underrepresented in Liberia’s governance structures, despite playing crucial roles in fostering democratic change.
The project also aims to address systemic barriers to youth engagement, such as limited access to civic education, lack of leadership opportunities, and traditional social norms that often marginalize youth voices—particularly those of young women.
Humpheretta Reid, Executive Director of the Radical Young Women Movement Liberia, praised ActionAid for supporting her organization’s participation. “We are fully committed and will bring our experience to ensure this successful implementation,” she said.
Dailos Kuphanga, Program Manager of ActionAid Liberia, recognized the role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Gender, expressing gratitude for their continuous support. “Civil society alone cannot achieve this. Government collaboration is essential,” he said.
Project to Focus on Montserrado and Bong
The Youth AHEAD Project will initially focus on Montserrado and Bong Counties, working with youth to develop and test innovative civic engagement strategies. The initiative will contribute to Liberia’s progress on several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to inclusive governance and civic participation.
It seeks to build leadership capacity, raise civic awareness, and increase youth participation in democratic processes across local, sub-national, and national levels.
Aligning with National Priorities and Global Goals
The Youth AHEAD Project aligns with ActionAid Liberia’s Country Strategy Paper III (CSP III) and the government’s ARREST Agenda (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism), promoting rule of law, civic literacy, and political leadership training.
The project also supports key SDGs, including:
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
By focusing on leadership, civic education, and inclusive governance, the initiative fosters participation and transparency—especially among young and marginalized populations.
As Liberia approaches its 2029 general elections, stakeholders say the Youth AHEAD Project represents a bold step toward a future where young people are not only seen and heard, but actively empowered to lead.
