© Disasters Emergency Committee
The Disasters Emergency Committee brings together the leading UK aid agencies to
raise money at times of humanitarian crisis in poorer countries. By working together
we can raise more money to save lives and rebuild shattered communities.
Background to the Appeal
Gaza is part of the Palestinian Occupied Territories and lies between Egypt and Israel.
It is one of the most densely populated areas in the world and an ongoing Israeli and Egyptian blockade has contributed to the poverty and vulnerability of the Palestinian civilians who live there.
Even before an escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in late December 2008, over half the population of Gaza had insufficient food throughout the year and 50,000 children were malnourished. The conflict led to a significant number of deaths and injuries but also the destruction of key civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
Health services were significantly reduced with damage to over 21 clinics, leaving only ten primary health care clinics functioning. Already overstretched hospitals and intensive care units were called on to treat large numbers of casualties. Wells and other water sources were damaged or contaminated and drainage and sewage pipes were broken. The result was a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a DEC appeal was launch on 22 January 2009. The Gaza Appeal raised £8.3m of which £5.7m was given to the DEC itself and £2.6m was donated via Member Agencies.
Appeal Broadcast
DEC GAZA APPEAL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: The scale of the grief and loss in Gaza led many DEC Member Agencies to create programmes to help children cope with the psychological impact of the conflict.
Allocation of funds to Member Agencies
Who is benefitting from the response
Member Agency assessments showed that although there were some deaths, injuries and rocket damage in Israel, by far the greatest unmet humanitarian need was in Gaza. The focus of the appeal reflected Gaza’s pre-existing vulnerabilities and minimal capacity to cope with the extensive destruction of infrastructure. Some Member Agencies or their partners used other funds to help meet the needs of Israeli civilians affected by rocket attacks, including the British Red Cross’ partner, Magen David Adom, which provided medical support.
An immediate priority was to assist those wounded in the shelling and bombing, with three agencies supporting emergency health care and the disabled. Children were amongst those most severely affected, suffering emotional trauma as well as physical injuries. Several projects were set up to help them overcome stress through play.
Reviving livelihoods was essential for recovery. Some of the poorest farmers were supported to become productive again and supply fresh food. Fishermen were helped to repair their boats and nets. Many of the unemployed were given work clearing debris and reconstructing roads.
