Gaza Emergency Appeal
The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Innocent women and children are facing famine and starvation. Help families in Gaza today.
The ongoing devastation in Gaza captured in May 2024. Photo credit: Caritas Jerusalem.
Latest News: Ceasefire in Gaza
A ceasefire deal has been announced. The ceasefire will commence on January 19, 2025 and will last for an initial period of 42 days. During this time, hostages will be returned and a surge of humanitarian aid will be allowed into the Gaza strip.
Caritas Jerusalem's ceasefire message
"To our people in Gaza, I say: You are the hope, you are the light that will never be extinguished."
-Anton Asfar, Secretary-General, Caritas Jerusalem
Suffering in Gaza
Over 46,000 people
have been killed in Gaza, most of them were women and children.
Over 100,000 people
have been injured.
1.9 million people
have been displaced, many multiple times.
2.2 million people
face high levels of acute food insecurity.
Our partners are on the ground providing vulnerable communities with:
Food and water provisions
Emergency Shelter
Household items including mattresses and blankets
Health and Psychosocial Support
How your donation helps
Supplies supported by the Gaza Appeal entering Gaza. Photo Credit: CRS.
The urgent situation in Gaza
- Homes, hospitals and essential water and sanitation infrastructure have been destroyed.
- Food deprivation has reached extreme levels. Famine is imminent with half of the population on the brink of starvation.
- Gaza has become the most dangerous place in the world to be a child, according to UNICEF.
- Residents are also enduring lack of access to medical care, safe shelter and clean water.
- There is no safe place left in Gaza.
Since the commencement of this latest round of hostilities on October 7, 2023, over 46,000 people have been killed, with thousands more missing amongst the rubble. Over 100,000 people have been injured. Almost the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, many multiple times, with nowhere left to go. Over 2 million people are facing acute food insecurity.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The sheer scale of destruction in Gaza is unimaginable:
- 40 million tons of rubble now cover the land, including farmland contaminated with explosives.
- Malnutrition and dehydration are widespread, with families struggling to access even the most basic necessities.
- The economy is also in ruins, with prices skyrocketing for basic essentials.
- Water, sanitation, and communication systems are in ruins, leaving entire communities vulnerable to disease and further hardship.
Many deaths during the conflict were due to military action, but now, the greatest threats are hunger, disease, and a lack of medical care.
A burnt-out car in a destroyed neighbourhood in Gaza. Photo credit: Caritas Jerusalem.
A call for compassion
Despite the staggering challenges, there is hope. The recent ceasefire means humanitarian corridors are opening, allowing aid organizations to reach the people of Gaza. But the road to recovery will take years, if not decades.
This is where we can make a difference.
Every meal, every blanket, every medical treatment delivered to Gaza’s people is a lifeline. Each act of compassion today helps families rebuild for tomorrow.
Gaza’s people cannot recover alone. They need the support of the global community—your support—to survive and rebuild.
How your donation helps support Gaza's most vulnerable
In partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), we have supported:
Over 860,000 people in Gaza and thousands more across the region.
Over 820,000 people with food parcels.
Over 156,000 people with bedding supplies.
Over 115,000 people with hygiene supplies.
Our stance on the conflict
“All human life is sacred. We remain committed to our spiritual and humanitarian mission, rooted in our principles and values, to help those in greatest need in times of war and peace alike. Caritas is appalled by the denial of human life and dignity, and grieves for the innocent civilian casualties of violence, across Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East. We must seize this moment and respond to the call to work towards a shared future–one in which lives, rights and dignity of all human beings are respected, and where all people can flourish and live in just and peaceful societies.” – Statement from Caritas Internationalis
Our stance on the ceasefire
"The level of devastation is enormous and it is crucial that the humanitarian community acts swiftly, decisively and at scale to stop any more lives being lost and help people in Gaza rebuild their lives in dignity. Israel must grant rapid, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access to allow for a well-coordinated, scaled-up and principled humanitarian response to address the vast needs of the affected communities.
We urge all the parties to respect the terms of the agreed deal, immediately stop the bloodshed, and prevent further violence and forced displacement of civilians.
We also urge the international community to use its influence to ensure the agreement is sustained, international law is respected, and obstacles to humanitarian assistance are removed immediately to allow the vital flow of aid and saving lives.
We call upon the international community to ensure that those responsible for the grave violations and abuses, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, are held accountable for their actions. The ceasefire must not only bring about a lasting cessation of hostilities, but also a firm commitment to international humanitarian law and human rights law."
-Joint statement from Caritas Internationalis and Caritas MONA
Perspectives on a year of war in Gaza: Ahmad Al-Daya
Ahmad Al-Daya, Media and Communication at Caritas Jerusalem in Gaza, speaks of repeated displacement and the shelling of his family, resulting in his brother losing his leg.
Perspectives on a year of war in Gaza: Rula Sawafta
Rula Sawafta, Rural Animator for Caritas Jerusalem in Jenin, talks to pre-existing challenges around movement and program delivery, and the intensification since October 7th 2023, as well as the lack of access to telecommunications, information, education, and the destruction of infrastructure.
Perspectives on a year of war in Gaza: Mai Qiasy
Mai Qiasy, Senior Projects Coordinator at Caritas Jerusalem in Bethlehem speaks of her fear for the future as a newlywed expecting a baby, and some of the challenges they face working with women in refugee camps.
"The continued human suffering and loss of civilian life because of this conflict cannot continue, with a peaceful resolution now a humanitarian and lifesaving necessity."
Our long-term work in Gaza
80% of the population of Gaza were already dependant on international aid prior to October 7, 2023. Our partners have been on the ground bringing humanitarian support to the population of Gaza for decades, and have the infrastructure and logistical knowledge to ensure aid gets to where it is needed most.
Social Justice for Gaza
While Caritas Australia’s work is inspired by Catholic Social Teaching (CST), we respond wherever we are needed and support the most vulnerable, regardless of belief, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
We believe that CST is universal. In short, our approach to humanitarian aid for Gaza is founded on
- The dignity of the human person
- The common good
- Subsidiarity and participation
- Solidarity
- Preferential option for the poor
- Economic justice
- Care for our common home
- Promotion of peace
FAQ
Your donation will be used to support our partners on the ground in Gaza who are delivering support to vulnerable communities with emergency shelter, health and medical support, and access to clean water, food and blankets, mattresses and winter items as a priority.
Choose an Australian charity that is working in Gaza or has direct partnerships with organisations that are working in Gaza that aligns with your values. To ensure your donation is going to be used effectively, check their website to see what percentage of funding goes to programs. Reputable charities will have this information readily available.
You can help people in Gaza by donating to a charity that is working in Gaza or has direct partnerships with organisations that are working in Gaza that aligns with your values. Your voice has power. Speak up about the emergency when and where you are comfortable to do so. You can also contact your local MP to express your views and ask that they support a ceasefire.
No, our partners on the ground are best placed to decide where funds are directed based on their expertise and first-hand experience of the priority needs of the population, and the current context and access situation.
Our partners have been working on the ground in Gaza for decades providing humanitarian assistance and we have deep experience ensuring donations get where they are needed in a politically-neutral manner. We are DFAT accredited and ACFID signatories, ensuring that we have responsible governance of funds at the highest level.
Yes. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible for Australia.
Our partners in Gaza include CRS and Caritas Jerusalem. As part of the Caritas Network, we work closely with our partners to understand the needs of the local population and use funding to support local initiatives.
No, we do not accept donations of goods. Goods can cause logistical issues and block the arrival of much needed aid. Donations of money allow us to ensure that what is arriving is what the population needs, while supporting the local economy.
Yes, we provide aid to those who need it most, regardless of background, religion, gender or sexuality. We prioritise the most vulnerable community members including children, the elderly, and people living with disabilities.
Rubble and damage after an airstrike in Gaza. Photo: Caritas Jerusalem.
Where does my donation go?
The funds you donate to this appeal go to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Fund and will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by this crisis. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering aid to this emergency, or if excess funds remain after the crisis, donations will be directed to other emergencies where Caritas has humanitarian operations.
