Support for ‘Antrim to Gaza’ relief

Cllr McShane, who is a member of the local aid group, said: “At present ‘Antrim to Gaza’ are coordinating a relief effort in association with humanitarian organisations in Belfast, Dublin and Gaza itself.

“We are currently awaiting further direction and clarity on the type of aid most relevant to the identified and the most pressing need.

“The situation is extremely fluid and we continue to receive updates from Gaza on an hour by hour basis”.

Cllr McShane added: “Many parts of the Municipal offices and workshops have been destroyed.

“Infrastructure for the most basic of human needs including sanitation, electricity and safe drinking water are simply unavailable.

“With thousands of homes destroyed a focus will undoubtedly be on the most basic of essentials to support children first.”

Kevin McGowan, another member of the local aid group, said he was delighted with the lcoal response and praised the number of volunteers working in the area to stop the ‘human suffering’.

He added: “The response from the local community to our appeal has been magnificent and unrelenting to date.

“A number of volunteers are working throughout North Antrim area and are reporting similar responses.

“The issue of human suffering burns deep into the psyche of the human conscious,” he concluded.