Disasters Emergency Committee raises over £11 million in Middle East Humanitarian Appeal: experts warn of ‘catastrophic’ hunger in Gaza, with famine still a real danger

Almost 2 million people are experiencing extreme hunger and food shortages in Gaza as conflict continues, with the risk of famine becoming a reality, the DEC warned today.  

A new food security forecast released by the global food monitor the IPC on 17th October show the risk of famine in Gaza persists, with the number of people facing ‘catastrophic’ levels of hunger expected to nearly triple between November 2024 and April 2025.

Over 70 percent of crop fields in the Gaza have been destroyed, reducing the availability of fresh foods. Access to medical care and clean water is scarce, and malnutrition levels are now ten times higher than before conflict escalated.  

From now until August 2025, it is estimated that there will be 60,000 cases of malnutrition in children between six months and five years-old. Deaths from malnutrition have been reported in Gaza for several months now.  

In Lebanon, over 1 million people have been displaced and many need emergency access to food as shelters cannot keep up with demand. Before the conflict escalated, 80% of the population was living in poverty and many families were already facing hunger daily.

In the West Bank, the World Food Programme estimates that the escalation of violence could push at least 600,000 people into food insecurity.

The DEC, made up of 15 leading UK aid charities, is responding with its Middle East Humanitarian appeal to raise urgent funds. Member charities are providing lifesaving food, water, and medical care.  

The DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal has raised over £11 million. This includes generous donations from the UK public, DEC corporate partners and longstanding supporters. Donations to this appeal from the UK public are still being matched pound for pound by the UK government, as part of its aid match scheme.      

Madara Hettiarachchi Director of Programmes and Accountability, at the DEC, said:  

“The destruction of crops in Gaza means that access to fresh food has become severely limited, and the price of food available has become too expensive for many families to afford. Often, parents are going without meals to ensure their children have enough to eat.

“Despite the many challenges, our member charities have been responding throughout the past year to treat and prevent malnutrition in children, and provide food and nutritional support to people in Gaza. But as winter approaches the need is growing, and we urgently need more funds.

“The risk of famine is real. Without humanitarian access and support, hunger in Gaza will only increase.”  

Natalia Anguera, Head of Middle East Operations for Action Against Hunger said:  

"The latest IPC report paints a devastating picture of the situation in Gaza. The persistent threat of famine and the staggeringly high levels of acute malnutrition are an alarming signal that time is running out for millions of people, especially as the cold sets in and spread of disease worsens. 

“Since the beginning of the crisis, repeated airstrikes have devastated essential infrastructure, with bakeries, agricultural land, and markets being hit over 190 times, crippling Gaza's ability to produce and access food. The decimation of livelihoods, the destruction of food systems, and the collapse of essential services are pushing Gaza to the brink of catastrophe.  

“Action Against Hunger is committed to doing everything we can to provide life-saving support, but increased funding is urgently needed to prevent an even greater disaster."

Every pound donated by the British public to the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal will be matched by the UK Government through its UK Aid Match scheme, up to the value of £10 million.  

People can donate online: dec.org.uk.

• £10 could provide blankets for two people   
• £50 could provide emergency food for five families for one week 
• £100 could provide emergency shelter for five families    

For more information on the appeal, please visit the DEC website.

Stay up to date with the appeal with the DEC on  X  or on Facebook.  

ENDS  

Notes to editors:  

Media enquiries please call 07930 999 014 or 07871 309253 (out of hours).  

Interview requests: For individual interviews with panellists or other spokespeople please contact: press1@dec.org.uk  

About the DEC: The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.      

All 15 of the DEC’s members are either responding or planning to respond in the Middle East and will receive funds from this appeal. Some may work through trusted local partners. They are Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.    

DEC member charities are committed to the principles of neutrality, impartiality, humanity and independence – it guides all of the lifesaving work we do. As humanitarian aid agencies, we have an obligation to give aid wherever it is needed, prioritising the most urgent needs of the most vulnerable people. 

The majority of funds from this appeal will be spent in Gaza and Lebanon, where millions of people are displaced and desperately need humanitarian support. Some of the funds will also be used to support people in the West Bank, where the recent escalation in violence has forced many more to flee their homes, and had a devastating economic impact.  

In Israel, families of those held hostage desperately await news of their loved ones, tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and many more are dealing with trauma caused by the ongoing conflict. We will continue to monitor the situation and needs in Israel. A number of DEC charities are in a position to expand their response to include Israel should the situation change. 

Through UK Aid Match the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) gives the British public the opportunity to have a say in how the UK aid budget is spent whilst boosting the impact of the very best British charities to change and save the lives of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.      

UK Aid Match has increased the impact of a number of DEC appeals to help those in need around the world, including most recently the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal in 2023.  In 2022, the UK matched up to £25 million of public donations to DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal - the largest commitment ever made to a DEC appeal through UK Aid Match.      

UK Aid Match enquiries should be directed to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Please call 020 7023 0600 (24-hour).  

How to donate:      

• Online: dec.org.uk    
• Phone: 0330 123 0333 [Standard network charges apply]    
• Text to give/SMS: for press releases: text SUPPORT to 70676 to donate £10. Other partners should use the specific text keywords they have been provided with by the DEC. [Texts cost £10 plus your standard network rate]    
• Send a cheque by post to: DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.