Ship to Gaza is an initiative of practical solidarity with the people in Gaza. As soon as it is economically and practically possible, we intend to send a ship with supplies that are in great demand from Scandinavia via ports in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea to Gaza. In the ports that are visited on the way, cultural and advocacy events will be organised in collaboration with local organisations. Upon arrival in Gaza, the aid will be administered by politically independent organisations.

Background
We are all familiar with the catastrophic humanitarian conditions the population of Gaza is forced to live in, for over two years. The population in Gaza lack everything: food, clean water, electricity, medicine, sanitation, abilities to support themselves, to trade and move freely across the border to and from its territory.

According to a report published by, among others, Amnesty International, Oxfam and Save the Children, among others, in autumn 2008, 95 percent of the industrial production of Gaza has ceased, a large majority of companies have gone bankrupt, the building industry is crippled, the financial sector tattered, the agricultural sector badly wounded, and the fishing industry has almost been rendered impossible. This situation has led to over eighty percent of the population is made dependent on humanitarian aid for their survival.

During 2008, was ten times as many families totally dependent on United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Then came the winter war of December-January 2008/2009. During 22 days of massive bomb attacks, that claimed about 1400 casualities, of whom 431 children, much of the remaining society has been further fragmented: homes, infrastructure, industries, hospitals, kinder gardens were turned into rubbles in systematic attacks against the civilian population, which also targeted the United Nations.

Overall, 53 buildings used by UNRWA were eradicated or destroyed, including 37 schools, among which six were used as shelters, six medical facilities and two warehouses with food and other basic commodities.

There is hardly any ground water in Gaza and more than eighty percent of what little is there is contaminated and unfit for humans, animals and irrigation.