Following Mohammad El Halabi’s indictment, we suspended our programs in Gaza and they will remain closed until we can resume operations with the trust of our valued supporters, our partners in government and the humanitarian community. We remain deeply concerned with this situation, and are saddened by the impact on the children and families we are privileged to serve in Gaza.

Yes, your donations were used to help your sponsored child and their community up until the time that our operations in Rafah were suspended. During this time of suspension, your monthly donations are going to the Sponsorship Emergency Childcare Fund, which helps children in crisis situations around the world.

We remain committed to effective development that releases people from poverty and helps them discover their God-given potential as human beings. Additionally, our programs have been subject to regular internal and external independent audits.

Sponsored children’s welfare is very important to World Vision staff. However, due to the unresolved nature of this situation, we are not in direct contact with the children and their families right now.

At this time our programs in the area are on hold, including delivery of correspondence. Once the review is complete and we have further information we will let you know.

We are unable to conduct regular checks of the children at this time, but will resume those services as soon as we are able.

Please do not send any letters (written or online) as we are unable to send them to the children until the operations in the area resume.

Current donations will be directed to the Sponsorship Emergency Childcare Fund to benefit children in crisis situations around the world. In Africa, our community partners have been working to address an outbreak of malaria in Burundi. In Malawi, we’re working to provide food to over 6,000 children under the age of 5 who have been affected by drought. And in Ethiopia, over 6,000 families are receiving recovery seeds following the failure of their crops due to drought season. If you’ve continued your donations, these are just a few examples of the types of interventions you’re providing to help children and families in need through the Sponsorship Emergency Childcare Fund.

As we receive significant developments, we will reach out and contact you again. The best source of ongoing information is on this site.

World Vision’s operating budget in Gaza totaled just over US$22.5 million in the decade leading up to the charges.

• Mohammad El Halabi has pled not guilty to all charges and it is for the court to fairly and transparently determine the truth of his involvement in these accusations.
• It’s important to note that in Israel, a trial does not automatically run on consecutive days as they do in the United States; Mr. El Halabi’s trial is proceeding slowly, with days and sometimes weeks between trail sessions.
• World Vision does not condone any of the actions he is accused of. We have robust processes and procedures in place to prevent illegal activity.
• World Vision subscribes to the humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality and therefore rejects any involvement in any political, military or terrorist activities and maintains our independence as a humanitarian aid agency committed to serving the poor, especially children.
• World Vision has detailed procedures and control mechanisms in place to ensure that the funds entrusted to us are spent in accordance with applicable legal requirements and in ways that do not fuel conflict but rather contribute to peace.

World Vision was shocked to learn of these charges against Mohammad El Halabi. We continue to be aware of no credible evidence of money funneled to terrorist groups.

• Mohammad El Halabi has been accused publicly of a number of shocking offences including misappropriation of funds and funneling millions of dollars to Hamas.
• Mohammad El Halabi has pled not guilty to all the charges, and the trial is ongoing.

• Mohammad El Halabi has been employed by World Vision for over ten years in a number of roles.
• He managed our programmes in Gaza that provide health, education, child protection and resilience to children.
• Mohammad El Halabi did not sit on the senior leadership team in the World Vision office overseeing our work in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza.