The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is initiating a critical fundraising campaign aimed at assisting those profoundly impacted by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The DEC, which comprises 15 of the largest aid organizations in the UK, including Oxfam, the British Red Cross, and ActionAid, has described the extent of the humanitarian crisis as “overwhelming.”
According to the DEC, individuals across Gaza, Lebanon, and surrounding areas urgently require food, shelter, and medical assistance after fleeing their homes in search of safety. Notably, the UK government has pledged to match donations up to £10 million for this cause.
The Middle East Humanitarian Appeal will be prominently featured on the BBC and other networks such as Sky, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 on October 17.
Intensified conflict has engulfed the region since October 7 of the previous year, when Hamas militants carried out a surprise attack in southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 hostages.
Since that date, Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-led health ministry in the area. The conflict has also extended to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
In announcing the campaign, the DEC highlighted that the destruction wrought by the conflict has led to significant loss of life due to hunger and disease.
At a press conference for the appeal’s launch, DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed emphasized that individuals in Gaza are “dying from hunger and disease.” He also noted that “UN experts have warned of a looming famine risk across the Gaza Strip as long as the conflict persists.”
Regarding Lebanon, he stated: “The years of economic crisis, political instability, and ongoing conflict have severely impacted the nation, leaving it ill-prepared to manage a humanitarian crisis of this magnitude.”
In Lebanon, where the government estimates that 1.2 million people have been displaced, the DEC reported that “shelters are overwhelmed, and hospitals are struggling to cope.”
In the West Bank, ongoing violence has damaged vital “water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure,” according to the DEC.
In a statement prior to the appeal’s launch, Mr. Saeed remarked that member charities are already responding to the urgent needs in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank but “urgently require additional funds to address the extensive levels of need.”
He also mentioned that the organization is monitoring developments in Israel, where “tens of thousands” of individuals have been displaced, pledging to provide support if significant humanitarian needs arise.
Save the Children, a DEC member, has been actively involved, with humanitarian director Rachael Cummings recently returning from Gaza. She remarked, “The rate at which people’s health is deteriorating is extraordinary… We are witnessing a rise in cases of children suffering from diarrhoea, jaundice, and respiratory illnesses.”
Anneliese Dodds, the minister of state for development, stated: “Humanitarian assistance is critically needed for the most vulnerable populations. Charities play a vital role in delivering support to those most affected.”
She added, “This is why we are matching public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal.”
The DEC has previously launched emergency appeals for various global crises, including the war in Ukraine and the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in 2023.
