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Thousands of people have been killed and nearly 2 million displaced after the escalation of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
There is a catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. As of 23 April, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. That is more than 1 in every 100 people. 7 in 10 are believed to be women and children. Famine is imminent.
With the end of the seven-day pause and resumption of combat operations, we fear that more lives will be lost and many more people will be injured. We're calling for an immediate ceasefire because without it, we don’t believe a safe humanitarian response or a sustainable peace is possible.
Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to people in crisis
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1,200 Israelis have been killed and 5,431 injured. Israeli civilians, including women and children, have been forcibly taken.
In Gaza, as of 23 April, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed — more than 1 in 100. 70% are believed to be women and children. 71,337 Palestinians have also been injured.
Airstrikes have caused widespread destruction of homes, schools, healthcare facilities and telecommunication installations. With fuel for generators all but depleted, hospitals are ceasing to function and virtually all water and sanitation services have collapsed. All schools are closed, food supply is cut off and risking famine, and it's feared 1.9 million people have been displaced.
What is Christian Aid doing in response?
Christian Aid has been working with the poorest and most vulnerable people in the Middle East since the early 1950s, when we provided humanitarian relief to Palestinian refugees.
Our established partners in Gaza are under intense pressure due to the danger they face, their offices being destroyed and the constant fear. Yet, they are responding with compassion, commitment and courage.
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Your donations have enabled truly life-saving work. Please help our partners keep making a difference.
With Christian Aid's support and your donations, our medical partner in Gaza, Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), has provided mobile psychological care and medical support across the Gaza strip, including treating injured people who have been discharged from overcrowded hospitals. The medical staff have been determined to reach their patients despite fuel shortages - going by bicycle and on foot.
With support from Christian Aid, our local partner the Agricultural Development Association (PARC), have provided people forced to flee their homes with food packages as well as blankets, diapers and hygiene kits. They've also provided drinking water - and worked with a food manufacturer to turn dry milk into cheese to distribute to people facing severe, ongoing food shortages.
Our local partner Women’s Affairs Centre (WAC) have provided emergency support to a shelter in Rafah, including mattresses and blankets. In coming weeks, WAC will also begin a project supporting new mothers and their babies with nappies as well as emotional support to help them cope with the trauma they have experienced.
Another of Christian Aid’s local partners, Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA) also provided two rounds of cash grants to more than 300 displaced families in southern Gaza so they could buy what they needed most.
Our longstanding Irish Aid funded partner, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) also continues to monitor, document and report human rights abuses and possible war crimes occurring in Gaza. Gathering such evidence will be crucial to ensure future accountability, safeguarding the rights of victims, and pursuing justice.
Christian Aid is also working with Zochrot, an Israeli civil society organisation based in Tel Aviv, to provide trauma based psychological assistance to Israelis who have been affected by the escalation of violent conflict.
Please donate what you can to our Middle East Crisis Appeal
We didn’t sleep last night. We are so scared. Many people have been killed. Some of our staff are evacuating and some of them have lost their houses already. We’ve not had any electricity for more than 24 hours.
Gaza's ongoing humanitarian crisis
Even before this latest escalation of violence, the humanitarian need in Gaza has been acute for many years due to the 16-year-old blockade enforced by Israel and Egypt and a lack of effective government in Gaza.
Across the occupied Palestinian territories, there is a sense of lawlessness and Palestinians feel hopeless. Gaza’s residents are living in incredibly harsh conditions, with soaring unemployment and poverty rates and a reliance on food aid.
Despite this, the international community has failed to step in, hold all sides to account and work to ensure a peace that secures justice, dignity and prosperity for all.
You can help local responders make a huge difference to so many people who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones.
A prayer for the Middle East
God, hear our prayers for peace in the Middle East.
May all people in the region be protected, safe from harm.
We pray that this crisis will end now, with no further loss of life.
God, may the injured and distressed know your healing presence.
May the powerful and the decision-makers follow the paths of justice, mercy and peace.
We pray for recognition of the dignity and value of every life.
May the clamour of violence cease,
Replaced by the beating of swords into ploughshares.
God, in your name,
If you live in Northern Ireland, join us in calling on the UK Government to do all it can to ensure peace.
