Action Against Hunger UK is joining the Disaster Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Middle East Humanitarian Appeal, which seeks to provide vital assistance to millions of people affected by the ongoing conflict in the region. The appeal, launched on 17 October 2024, aims to raise crucial funds to support civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, who are facing increasing humanitarian needs due to the devastating impact of the violence.
The DEC unites 15 leading aid charities, including Action Against Hunger, ActionAid, CARE International UK, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, and Save the Children, to respond to global emergencies. In Gaza and Lebanon, DEC member charities and their local partners are on the ground delivering critical humanitarian aid, including food, clean water, healthcare, and other life-saving support to people in desperate need, many of whom have been forced to flee their homes.
In Gaza, the situation is particularly dire, with over 2 million people face the threat of hunger, disease and conflict. The urgent need for clean water, medical supplies, food, and shelter is growing exponentially, and Action Against Hunger is delivering aid despite enormous challenges on the ground.
In Lebanon, the conflict has forced one million people to flee their homes in less than a month, with many now living in overcrowded conditions. Our teams are providing emergency food assistance and clean water, while also working to prevent the spread of disease in densely populated areas.
The DEC’s fundraising appeals will be broadcast today (17 October) on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Sky, following the evening news, while BBC radio will air appeals throughout the day.
The UK Government will match the first £10 million in public donations to the DEC’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal, doubling the impact of these contributions and helping to provide crucial humanitarian aid to those impacted by the conflict
“Our teams are doing everything we can to deliver life-saving aid in Gaza and Lebanon, but we urgently need more support to prevent a catastrophic loss of life. The DEC appeal is a powerful opportunity for the British public to stand in solidarity with those suffering in Gaza and Lebanon,” said Jean-Michel Grand, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger UK.
Our response in Gaza
Over the past year, despite ongoing insecurity and blockades, Action Against Hunger has provided vital support to more than one million people across Gaza and the West Bank.
This includes distributing over 8 million litres of drinking water, constructing 30 toilet blocks and handwashing stations, and delivering water, sanitation, and hygiene services to 200,000 women and girls. Additionally, the organisation has provided food baskets to over 48,000 people – each basket sufficient to feed a family of six for 15 days – and offered cleaning services in shelters for those forced to flee their homes.
“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical level with almost the entire population facing severe hunger. This means families are going days without food, children are malnourished, and people are unable to access even the most basic supplies to survive. Famine has likely already arrived in some areas. Now with the escalating conflict in Lebanon, there are growing concerns that it could face a similar catastrophe,” added Jean-Michel Grand.
Response in Lebanon
In response to the escalating conflict in Lebanon, Action Against Hunger has significantly expanded its emergency efforts to support conflict-affected communities, including Syrian refugees who have fled one crisis only to be caught in another.
The organisation has been delivering essential supplies – such as water, food, blankets, and other critical items – to vulnerable populations, while working closely with authorities to enhance support in collective shelters for the displaced. Since October 2023, Action Against Hunger has distributed 600,000 litres of drinking water, 95,000 hot meals, 8,500 blankets, and provided cash assistance to over 7,500 people forced to flee their homes.
“The level of suffering in Lebanon is unlike anything we’ve experienced before. Families are being displaced, communities shattered, and essential services overwhelmed,” said Suzanne Takkenberg, Action Against Hunger’s Country Director for Lebanon.
“Our teams are working around the clock to deliver life-saving aid, but the scale of need is staggering, and resources are running thin. The people of Lebanon have shown incredible resilience, but they cannot endure this crisis alone. More support is urgently needed to prevent a complete humanitarian catastrophe.”