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.
A Caritas Jerusalem staff member surveys the rubble in Gaza. Photo: Caritas Jerusalem
What is the current situation in Gaza?
- A ceasefire commenced on January 19, 2025 and lasted for an initial period of 42 days. During this time, hostages were returned, and a surge of humanitarian aid was allowed into the Gaza strip.
- In the weeks following the ceasefire, 200 Caritas trucks crossed the border carrying vital supplies. These goods - including food, bedding and shelter supplies – supported twelve relief distribution points, four offices, and four warehouses in Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Gaza City.
- Included in the relief efforts was the delivery of 8,000 winter clothing kits, all supported by funds from the Caritas Australia Gaza Emergency Appeal. This is crucial amid harsh winter conditions including strong winds and heavy rain, which has caused flooding and damage to shelters.
- Neither an extension of the ceasefire or a second phase of the ceasefire have been agreed.
- All crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid were suspended on March 2.
- The IDF resumed airstrikes into Gaza on March 18, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least 400 people including children, the deadliest day of violence in Gaza since 2023.
Suffering in Gaza
Over 48,000 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 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
Humanitarian toll of the Gaza war
📌 Demographic Impact
-
7% of those killed have been older people.
-
15% of those killed have been women.
-
27% of those killed have been children.
📌 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.
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.
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.
