DOHA, QATAR - Slightly a month after the start of the Gaza conflict and on the morning after the civilian death toll breaching the 10,000 mark, international dignitaries of We Care for Humanity (WCH) gathered for an emergency peace summit yesterday, 09 November 2023 and joined the United Nations in calling for an urgent Humanitarian Pause in the besieged Palestinian territory.
We Care for Humanity is the prestigious international humanitarian organization registered with the United Nations and headquartered in Westmont, Illinois in the U.S. that has actively been hosting successful events on humanism with the United Nations both in New York and Geneva, Switzerland for the past decade.
Symbolically hosted online from Qatar, the lead country in spearheading peace efforts in the Middle East, humanitarian leaders from 21 countries led by WCH founder & president HRH Maria Leonora Amor Torres Mastura have jointly voiced out their global call to stop the ongoing onslaught on innocent civilians in Gaza particularly the elderly, women and most importantly children under basic humanitarian principles of every human being’s right to live.
In addition to the WCH country directors, peace advocates and ambassadors from the USA, UK, Qatar Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Lebanon, Romania, Poland, UAE, Austria, Palestine, Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan and Norway, last night’s historic meeting was also attended by distinguished delegates from the United Nations Correspondents Association in Vienna (UNCAV), Sustainable Development Alliance of Ghana, the HBM Foundation of Switzerland, the Sultanate of Magindanaw of the Philippines, Tikkun Worldwide Charity of the United States, Royal Bodyguard Association of Malaysia, to name a few and prominent humanitarians to include traditional royals, artists, bishops, doctors and scholars.
In her opening address, WCH matriarch HRH Maria Leonora Amor Torres has underscored the kind of poison that war brings into the heart and soul of every human. "I know some of you like me don't understand the full context of this war, or maybe we refused to understand because War is poison in our hearts and soul just by hearing it, let alone being in it or surrounded by it. But, whether we understand this war or not, I know you will agree with me that thousands of people, especially children, innocent children women and children are being slaughtered beyond our comprehension because of greed, ego, hatred and revenge! But let me be clear, the purpose of this meeting is not about solving the war or finding solution to end the war. It is so complicated and very political it can cost our organization even our lives! Unfortunately, this is beyond our ability at the moment, when both parties are determined to wipe out each other, we know we cannot stop the bloodshed, but it should not be at the expense of innocent people! However, we cannot be bystanders any longer, we must break our silence and choose a side, not the the side of Israel or Hamas, but our side, the side of humanity. We must do something about this, otherwise, we should not be called We Care for Humanity at all! So, today, I summoned all of you to stand by WCH, to plead for Peace and a Humanitarian Pause and let a little humanitarianism prevail in this unforgivable war and save the remaining lives in Gaza."
From the Sultanate of Maguindanao, “Bismillahi Rahmaneer Rahim Assalamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu. We express our deep sympathy and sorrow over the crises in Israel and Palestine. We grieve with the victims and their mourning families. And we pray and ask for an immediate cessation of hostilities from both parties. The SULTANATE OF MAGINDANAW MANDANAUE DARUSSALAM, PHILIPPINES is calling the attention of the UNITED NATION INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS to perform their duties and responsibilities. Indiscriminate bombings and killings of all ages especially those innocent children and women causing tremendous horrific psychological impact and thousands of deaths. We will pass a resolution addressed to the United Nation Secretary-General Antonio Gutterrez to ask/declare Humanitarian Ceasefire/Pause and pressure both ISRAEL and PALESTINE to submit/conform. We are gathered today, to coordinate and participate together with the WE CARE FOR HUMANITY to ensure the preservation of life of everyone especially the children involve is such present situation, whether Israeli or Palestinian, including foreign people based in Gaza strip. Let Us Call For Peace! Let Us Call for Humanitarian Pause! Wassalam”, stated the Secretary General, HRH Princess Ispandaria Mastura Sangki.
After hearing the sentiments and echoing calls for the restoration of humanity in Gaza by all participants from around the world, the delegates have unanimously committed to reciprocate the calls to action for a humanitarian pause for Gaza in their respective countries with the hashtags: #CallforPeace, #HumanitarianPause and #StoptheKilling.
In concluding the event, WCH Interim Country Director for Qatar Joseph Timothy Rivera orated the summit’s universally agreed declaration now already submitted to the United Nations Secretary General:
“We, the Peace Ambassadors & International Humanitarian Volunteers of We Care for Humanity led by our President HRH Maria Leonora Amor Torres, stand hand-in-hand with the United Nations in calling for the following actions to be implemented in Gaza:
1. Immediate humanitarian Pause to allow much more efficient delivery of needed aid to the suffering civilians and to provide fuel to basic health & medical facilities;
2. For all sides to stop the infliction of harm to the civilian citizens of Gaza particularly the elderly, women and most especially Children ;
This global appeal in saving humanism in Gaza is part of our fundamental mission to be a catalyst for change, transforming people to becoming humanitarians, and for the fulfilment of our aim as sustainable partner of the United Nations in promoting the 17 UNSDG towards the 2030 UN Agenda.”
A poem dedicated to this cause was written by WCH Official Poet, Maureen Brindle
"These lands are soaked in blood
The ancient lands that tears flood
Is there a line in the sand,
Invisible where Peace will stand?
The lands once swept with stars,
Now rubble and battle scars.
Helping children is our role,
Peace and humanitarian aid our goal"