Emergency Appeal for Gaza

The bombardment of Gaza has led to over 40,000 deaths and over 100,000 people  injured. 10,000 people are missing presumed dead and over 2 million people have been displaced from their homes. 

Since the start of the conflict on 7th October, Amos Trust has been able to send over £900,000 of emergency support to Gaza and the West Bank. This has included food aid, new toilet blocks in Khan Younis and psychosocial support.

We are working with MAAN, the Welfare Association and our partners Al Ahli hospital, WANN, Gaza Sunbirds and NECC to deliver this support. Below are just 2 examples of the aid we have been able to deliver thanks to your generosity. 

Toilet blocks in Khan Younis and Deir Al Balah

We have known MA’AN Development Centre for many years. They are based in Ramallah but have a long history of work in Gaza and many local links that have proved invaluable since 7th October. Chris Rose, Amos’ Director, visited them shortly before Easter to understand more about how they were working in Gaza and how we could partner with them.

Staff at MA’AN explained how in the new camps water levels are critically low, with people having to queue for hours to collect what little there is and being forced to rely on sea water for domestic use. People are using shallow pit latrines and there is a continuing spread of communicable illnesses amid sewage overflow, piles of effluent, a proliferation of insects, rodents and snakes, and a near-total lack of hygiene items and sanitation facilities.They explained the urgent need for toilets and the appalling sanitation in many of the camps. We allocated $25,000 to provide 7 toilet blocks (21 toilets) for the camps.

The toilet blocks, including sinks, were installed in Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis (central Gaza) at the beginning of June. 1,584 families will now be able to use the toilets and to wash. It’s a tiny shred of dignity, but it’s so important nonetheless.

Food aid

Since Israel imposed a food embargo on Gaza after the 7th October attack, we have been doing all we can to make sure that people sheltering from the Israeli attacks have been able to have food and water.

We have worked alongside the Welfare Association, the Gaza Sunbirds and most recently, MA’AN Development to get this vital support to those who desperately need it.

Through its local networks within Gaza, MA’AN was able to buy vegetables from the few remaining farmers who could still grow and harvest their crops — there is no meat available now in Gaza. Prices have risen sharply due to the massive shortages — these meals cost $50,000, far more than they would have done before 7th October.

This problem is further exacerbated by a shortage of cash as no new money has been allowed in since the beginning of the war, so there is very little available currency.

Over four days, from 5th - 9th June, MA’AN distributed 7,825 hot vegetarian meals in Al Zawaydeh, north of Rafah, each serving five people and reaching 39,125 individuals.

Thank you for your support,

Best Wishes,

From Katie Hagley and all at Amos Trust.