The ACT Alliance’s foundation in ecumenical partnership is not only a theological commitment but also a strategic strength, de Faria explained. “Our members are rooted in local churches and faith communities that hold deep trust and legitimacy among affected populations,” he said. “This allows us to operate in complex and restricted contexts where other actors may face rejection or mistrust.” In Gaza, as in other conflict zones, de Faria explained how ecumenical partnership enables the ACT Alliance to speak with moral clarity and unified purpose. “We challenge militarized humanitarian models not only through public advocacy, but by providing alternatives, community-based, locally led responses that are accountable to the people they serve, not to the parties to the conflict,” he said. "Through our member, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees, from the Middle East Council of Churches, we are present in Gaza, not as outsiders, but as part of the social and spiritual fabric of the region.” The ACT Alliance’s solidarity is rooted in the prophetic witness of the church, calling for justice, denouncing the instrumentalization of aid, and upholding humanitarian principles even when they are inconvenient to geopolitical powers, added de Faria. Safeguarding civilian lives In a recent statement, the ACT Alliance expressed deep alarmed over the current situation in Gaza, where humanitarian aid is not only restricted but actively weaponized. “Neutrality and dignity are not theoretical concepts for us; they are lived principles,” said de Faria. “They mean providing assistance based solely on need, safeguarding civilian lives, and refusing to be co-opted by political or military agendas.” ACT Alliance members in Gaza are operating under extreme conditions, guided by decades of experience and deep local knowledge. “The trust they have built allows them to serve people with discretion and integrity,”’ said de Faria. “The ACT Alliance supports this work with global advocacy, amplifying their voice and calling for unrestricted humanitarian access through UN-led coordination mechanisms.” The aid models of the ACT Alliance prioritize protection, community consent, and the dignity of people served. “We do not accept the narrative that humanitarian response must come with the risk of death,” said de Faria. “That is not aid; that is coercion.” The ACT Alliance works to uphold the principle that every human being, regardless of political context, has a right to safety and survival. “Faith-based alliances bring a unique moral authority to humanitarian advocacy,” explained de Faria. “We are not driven by national interests or political agendas; we are driven by values of compassion, justice, and the sacred dignity of all human life.” One voice - demanding action To influence governments and international bodies, the ACT Alliance mobilizes its members to speak with one voice, uniting communities from the Global South and North in demanding principled action. ACT Alliance members also engage in diplomatic channels through ecumenical and interfaith coalitions, such as the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches, to lobby for lifting blockades and restoring multilateral coordination mechanisms. Finally, ACT Alliance members document and amplify local voices to bring authentic, lived realities into policy debates, whether at the UN, national capitals, or faith forums. “In today’s polarized environment, faith-based actors can act as bridge-builders, holding governments accountable to humanitarian norms, not just political calculations,” said de Faria. “Our call is clear: the siege must end, and humanitarian space must be protected.” In other words, humanitarian response must go beyond survival, concluded de Faria. “As a faith-based alliance, we understand humanitarian aid not only as a technical exercise, but as a sacred duty to uphold life in all its fullness,” he said. “This means addressing the full spectrum of human needs: physical, emotional, spiritual, and communal.” In Gaza, these efforts are deeply challenged by bombardments and siege, yet the commitment remains. “We work every day to ensure that aid is not just a response to need, but a reaffirmation of human dignity and hope,” said de Faria. Learn more about the work of the Middle East Council of Churches' Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees ACT Alliance statement: "Gaza: Starvation or Gunfire – This is Not a Humanitarian Response" Patriarch Theophilos III and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa visit Gaza (WCC news release, 18 July 2025) | 
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