UK launches appeal to raise funds for Middle East humanitarian aid

Millions in the region urgently require food, shelter and medical care after fleeing their homes

Palestinian children queue to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters

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The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an organisation made up of 15 British aid charities, has launched a humanitarian appeal to raise urgent funds for those affected by conflict in the Middle East.

The scale of need is “overwhelming” in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region, the DEC said, with millions urgently requiring food, shelter and medical care after fleeing their homes in search of safety.

Donations made by the British public to the appeal will be matched by the UK government up to £10 million ($13 million).

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Member charities are coordinating closely with each other and with local partners to provide food, water, shelter, medicine and other necessities to those in need, the DEC said.

The organisation is “monitoring the evolving situation” in Israel and a number of DEC charities are “ready to expand their response to include Israel if significant unmet humanitarian needs are identified”.

“Millions of people, including many thousands of children, are dealing with almost unimaginable trauma,” DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said.

“Many have been displaced multiple times and have no homes to return to. Now food and medical care is scarce and families face devastating choices to survive.

“DEC member charities are responding right now in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank, providing life saving food, water, shelter and medicine – this humanitarian support is a vital lifeline for millions of people in overwhelming need of assistance.

“But our member charities urgently need more funds to meet the huge levels of need. We are asking people to please donate now to save lives.”

Development minister Anneliese Dodds said the suffering of civilians affected by the conflict is “intolerable”.

“Humanitarian support is urgently needed for the most vulnerable people. Charities play a crucial role in providing help to those most affected, and need your support,” Ms Dodds said.

“That is why we are matching public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to provide urgent humanitarian assistance up to £10 million.

“This will be used to provide life-saving aid including medical supplies, shelter and clean water to those who need it most.”