Press Release
March 5, 2026 • 2 min read
We, the Regional Directors of 14 international NGOs, are deeply alarmed by the rapidly escalating military violence across the Middle East and its devastating consequences for ordinary people.
The fighting must stop. The continued use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and the exchange of strikes across borders, is putting entire civilian populations at unacceptable risk. Every new attack deepens the crisis – one that falls hardest on civilians, especially women and children who have already suffered disproportionately.
We are gravely concerned by the ongoing and possible violations of international humanitarian law, which demands independent and impartial review. International humanitarian law exists for a reason: to limit suffering and protect people who are not part of the fighting. These rules are being ignored.
This violence is the foreseeable consequence of years in which violations of international law have gone insufficiently checked. At a time when international humanitarian law is already undermined, all parties should fully return to and uphold their obligations under it.
Our teams across the region are working around the clock to reach people in need, wherever access and funding allows, in close coordination with local partners. But humanitarian aid alone cannot keep pace with the scale and speed of suffering being generated by this conflict. Aid is not a substitute for political solutions.
What is needed now is real political will: to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians, uphold international law, and pursue meaningful pathways toward peace. Without it, the human cost will keep rising – with consequences felt for generations.
We call on all parties to protect civilians and humanitarian workers, halt attacks on hospitals, schools, and water infrastructure, adhere strictly to international humanitarian law, and take immediate steps to end the violence across the Middle East.
Signatories
- Caroline Bedos Esteban
MENA Unit Manager, Médecins du Monde – Doctors of the World - Laure Baudin
MENA Regional Director, Terre des hommes Foundation - Myriam Abord-Hugon
Mashreq Regional Director, Humanity & Inclusion-Handicap International - Lilu Thapa
MEAE Executive Director, Danish Refugee Council - Flutra Gorana
Middle East Regional Director, War Child Alliance Foundation - Angelita Caredda
MENA Regional Director, Norwegian Refugee Council - Carlo Gherardi
EurAsia Regional Director, Norwegian Refugee Council - Ahmad Alhendawi
Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, Save the Children - Arnaud Quemin
Vice-President for MENA, Europe, and Asia, Mercy Corps - Sally Abi Khalil
Regional Director MENA, Oxfam - Fiona Gannon
Regional Director, Middle East, Concern Worldwide - Stephanie Yousef
Senior Coordinator for the MENA, CIVIC - Benjamin Thiberge
Emergencies and oPt Coordinator, Médicos del Mundo/Doctors of the World - Eleanor Monbiot
Regional Leader, Middle East and Eastern Europe, World Vision - Andy Buchanan
Middle East Programme Director, GOAL Global
