Gaza crisis

26 January 2009

Following the recent end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip, the full scale of the devastating humanitarian situation is emerging.

Children receiving food handouts in Jabalya refugee camp. Credit: ACT International

Twenty days of escalating violence has resulted in the death of over 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them civilians. Approximately 50,000 people have lost their homes and 400,000 are without running water.

Y Care International has today launched an emergency appeal to support Gaza YMCA to provide relief to displaced families who have found temporary shelter in United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) schools.

Isa Saba, General Secretary of Gaza YMCA, reported that as the fighting came to an end, those who tried to go back to their homes did not even recognise their streets. After seeing their houses in ruins, most had no choice but to go back to the schools where they had taken refuge during the conflict.

Funds raised by the appeal will provide food, clothes, blankets and mattresses to an estimated 8,000 people in the UN schools. Funds will also help to provide psychosocial programmes to children who have been left traumatised by the constant shelling of their homes.

Darren O’Connor, Y Care International's Asia & Middle East Programme Manager said: “We need to act urgently to get aid to the thousands of men, women and children who have lost their homes and livelihoods.”

If you would like to make a donation, please ring the Fundraising Team on: 020 7549 3175.