Gaza Emergency Appeal
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate, with severe shortages of food, water, and shelter. Help families in Gaza today.
The ongoing devastation in Gaza captured in May 2024. Photo credit: Caritas Jerusalem.
A Caritas Jerusalem staff member surveys the rubble in Gaza. Photo: Caritas Jerusalem
What is the current situation in Gaza?
- The situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating, with the trapped population facing a serious threat of famine.
- An 11-week near-total aid blockade has led to severe shortages of critical aid including food, safe drinking water and emergency shelter.
- A temporary ceasefire in January 2025 was not extended or renewed. The IDF resumed military operations in Gaza in March, resulting in thousands being killed.
- 92% of housing has been severely damaged or destroyed. There are tens of millions of tons of rubble that could take over a decade to clear. Thousands of dead remain trapped under this rubble.
- Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world for children. Over 13,000 children have been killed.
Suffering in Gaza
Over 53,000 people
have been killed in Gaza, including 13,000 children.
Over 100,000 people
have been injured.
1.9 million people
have been displaced, many multiple times.
92% of housing
has been severely damaged or destroyed.
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 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.
What are the major issues facing people 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.
A burnt-out car in a destroyed neighbourhood in Gaza. Photo credit: Caritas Jerusalem.
A man walks beside destroyed buildings in Gaza photo credit: Caritas Jerusalem.
Critical needs: what Palestinians in Gaza need most right now
Ongoing attacks and displacement have created an urgent need for:
✔️ Safe shelter for displaced families
✔️ Emergency food and clean water
✔️ Hygiene kits and essential medicines
✔️ Psychosocial support for trauma recovery
What is Caritas Australia's response?
- Our efforts are responsive to the rapidly-changing context, and mindful of people’s holistic needs—both physical and emotional—at a time of tremendous uncertainty. Our partners on the ground are working tirelessly to provide urgent assistance to people displaced and affected by the war in Gaza.
- Caritas Jerusalem and CRS are able to continue providing aid and support to people in Gaza and the West Bank, despite restrictions. They continue to adapt programming to reflect needs, restrictions and context.
- Caritas Jerusalem and CRS are providing rehabilitation services to medical facilities and are providing psychosocial support to communities and individuals.
- Caritas Jerusalem recently received medical supplies from WHO and are able to distribute these supplies withing Gaza.
Tarps and bedding being distributed in Gaza. Photo: CRS/Staff.
Humanitarian toll of the Gaza war
📌 Demographic Impact
-
7% of those killed have been older people.
-
15% of those killed have been women.
-
13,000 children have been killed.
📌 Hunger Crisis
-
91% of the population is projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity.
-
Over 800,000 people are facing emergency levels of food insecurity.
- Over 300,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.
📌 Impact on Shelter & Protection
-
1 million children are in need of mental health and psychosocial support.
-
92% of surveyed housing units have been damaged or destroyed.
- 1.8 million people are in need of emergency shelter and essential household items.
How your donation helps
Supplies supported by the Gaza Appeal entering Gaza. Photo Credit: CRS.
Stand with Gaza—Donate Today
Your donation can help Gaza's most vulnerable with emergency shelter, essential supplies like bedding and winterisation kits, psychosocial support and more.
Donate now to help families in Gaza
On the ground in Gaza with CRS
Our partner CRS Gaza have visited the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza where 93% of housing units have been destroyed.
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.
Our advocacy
Along with several other aid organisations, we are calling on the Australian Government to:
Aerial view of a shelter site in the South of Gaza supported by Caritas partners. Photo credit: CRS.
Continue to demand
an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
A queue of Caritas Australia's partner trucks containing blankets, mats and mattresses bound for Gaza. Photo Credit: Sayed Hassan for CRS.
Join the United Kingdom, Canada, and France
in strengthening their position against Israel's military operations and denial of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and be clear that Australia will take concrete action should Israel not cease its offensive and lift restrictions on the principled delivery of aid.
Aftermath of an air strike on the Porphyrios Church Hall in Gaza Photo Credit Caritas Jerusalem
Use Australia’s voice
to publicly denounce breaches of international humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and continue to call for international law to be upheld.
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
Our work is shaped by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
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.
