As it stands now, Hamas’s deadly attack on Oct 7 killed over 1400 Israelis. They have also kidnapped over 200 civilians, including the elderly and children. Israel has begun a brutal retaliation and has imposed a siege on Gaza, cutting off all access to water, electricity, fuel and humanitarian aid to the over 2.3 million residents of the area. Bombs continue to drop on both sides with no end in sight, but there are some glimmers of hope as some hostages are being released and humanitarian aid is finally making its way into Gaza to help those stranded within its borders.
Now more than ever, the organizations that are doing the critical work on the ground by delivering supplies and aid to all of the innocent victims of this conflict need our help. Here’s how:
DONATE TO ORGS HELPING CIVILIANS ON THE GROUND
International Committee of the Red Cross
The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. It takes action in response to emergencies and at the same time promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.
Every day, Doctors Without Borders teams deliver emergency medical aid to people in crisis, with humanitarian projects in more than 70 countries. Their work includes psychological and psychiatric services for people affected by violence, support for community health centers and emergency response plans, and basic health care through clinics.
Save the Children’s team in the occupied Palestinian territory has been working around the clock, prepositioning vital supplies to support people in need, and working to find ways to get assistance into Gaza. In Egypt, Save the Children is partnering with the Egyptian Red Crescent to send supplies to the Gaza strip as soon as a safe passage for aid across the border is established.
Magen David Adom (MDA) serves as the Israeli Red Cross organization and works to promote awareness of international humanitarian law amongst the public in Israel by providing instructions and guidance for the prevention of accidents and diseases and promoting conduct based on respecting the dignity of others and the sanctity of life. They are currently on the ground, often under fire, rescuing and treating Israeli civilians.
As @unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell says: “In all wars, it is children who suffer first and suffer most.” UNICEF staff have continued to respond to the needs of the children across the Gaza Strip, but access is becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous. Among other crucial aid, they have kept the only desalination plant in Gaza functioning and are supplying hospitals with crucial medical supplies, but are running out of fuel. Despite escalating danger, they will stay in southern Gaza to provide support for the children in need.
New Israel Fund’s Emergency Response Plan
NIF is already moving to provide emergency support to grantee organizations and community groups on the frontlines working to help those in need at this moment, to reinforce solidarity between Jews and Arabs in Israel, and to counter any kind of extremism, racism, or inter-communal violence. NIF is on the ground in Israel providing basic care for the most vulnerable groups, combating violent speech and incitement online, preventing inter-communal violence in mixed cities and providing mental health and trauma counseling.
Middle East Children’s Alliance:
@mecafporpeace is a nonprofit organization working for the rights and the well-being of Palestinian children and Syrian refugees. Right now, they're providing emergency assistance to families who have fled their homes to seek shelter with relatives or at schools being used as makeshift shelters, as well as procuring emergency medical supplies for hospitals and clinics.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees are suffering the consequences of the heavy escalation in violence on the Gaza Strip and are seeking refuge and humanitarian needs. Amidst these circumstances, UNRWA is there to respond by providing Palestine refugee families with shelter, emergency health care, remote psychosocial support and psychological first aid.
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