Disasters Emergency Committee appeal raises £8m for Gaza
The DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal has reached a total of £8m just five days since it was launched.
This will enable the DEC’s 13 member agencies to continue to scale up their humanitarian response for hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza, while a renewed ceasefire holds. This will involve replenishing urgently needed medical supplies, providing clean water and emergency shelter materials.
In addition, agencies will begin supporting the reconstruction of essential infrastructure destroyed in the conflict, such as power supplies, water and sewage systems.
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said:
“The incredible generosity of the British public is enabling our agencies to substantially step up their response, particularly during this moment of relative peace. Aid is getting through, with our staff and partners on the ground working tirelessly to provide urgent assistance to the hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza in desperate need.
However, the situation remains desperate. More than 100,000 people have had their homes severely damaged or even completely destroyed. Hospitals and medical teams are operating under immense strain as they try to respond to the vast number of people in need of medical care. Over 10,000 people have been injured, nearly a third of them children.
Inevitably, as other high profile events in the world draw the cameras elsewhere, media interest has decreased in the Gaza crisis, but the need is still very much there and we urge people to give as much as they can”
Aid delivered in the past 3 days includes:
• Save the Children has helped more than 19,000 people, including 13,000 children, with food, drinking water and psychosocial support.
• ActionAid is reaching more than 3,750 people with food vouchers and providing fuel for generators to help 900 people whose homes have been destroyed.
• Oxfam is delivering safe water to up to 200,000 people per day and have distributed food vouches to 52,000 people.
• Islamic Relief is providing water to 35,000 people, food to 14,000 people and medical care to 13 hospitals.
• CAFOD partners are reaching 99,000 people with water, sanitation and hygiene kits.
• British Red Cross partners have reached over 60,000 people with medical and first aid services, and distributed vital relief items including mattresses and blankets to over 8,000 families.
The DEC launched its Gaza Crisis Appeal on Friday with support from all major UK broadcasters. The appeal has been boosted by substantial support from the Department for International Development, which matched the first £2m donated by the public pound-for-pound.
What your money will buy:
• £25 can buy 150 bandages
• £50 can feed five families for a day
• £100 can provide an emergency shelter kit and blankets for one family
Stay up to date with developments in Gaza, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on twitter: http://twitter.com/decappeal or on Facebook via http://www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee
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Notes to editors:
• The next funding update will be published at approximately midday on Thursday 14th August.
• The DEC brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly.
• 11 DEC agencies are currently supporting work or planning to work inside Gaza. Many DEC agencies are working through carefully vetted and monitored partner agencies.
• To make a postal donation make cheques payable to ‘DEC and mail to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.
• Donations can be made at any high street bank and at Post Office counters.
• To donate £5 by text send the word SUPPORT to 70000. The full £5 will go to the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal. Donors must be 16 years or over and have bill payer’s permission. Texts are free and donations will be added to the bill. (Customer service number 0844 800 4884.)
