The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Tuesday appealed to media organizations and the public across the world to contribute to a special solidarity fund it has set up to provide financial aid to journalists in Gaza who are desperately in need of help.
The IFJ in a statement said that the current limited cease-fire may have halted the loss of life, but many journalists and families are now homeless after their houses were razed to the ground or suffered extensive damages as to render them inhabitable.
It estimated that 42 journalists and their families have been displaced in Gaza, 14 of them have had their houses completely destroyed and need emergency shelter. Nearly 25 have been injured and require medical treatment while 10 media facilities were also damaged in the bombing.
The IFJ has committed USD 10,000 for immediate use but warns that more is needed to sustain the relief effort and enable journalists in Gaza to get back on their feet.
"The recent Israeli military offensive has left total devastation in its wake. Apart from the high death toll among civilians, including 13 journalists killed, the houses and lives of many journalists and their families have been either destroyed or badly damaged," said IFJ President Jim Boumelha.
"We urgently need to raise as much funding as possible and as soon as we can to take full advantage of the current cease-fire and ensure journalists desperately in need receive the funds while the lure in the fighting lasts," he said.
"We are therefore appealing to IFJ affiliates, media workers and members of the public to show their solidarity by contributing to this appeal as generously as they can," he added.