Scottish people have raised more than £2 million for the Disaster Emergency Committee’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal just two weeks after it was launched.
The appeal was launched in a bid to help people in the Middle East with the ongoing crisis across the region in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel.
The impressive total raised is thanks to the generosity of the Scottish public, the Scottish Government and the DEC corporate partners and longstanding supporters.
As well as the money raised, the Scottish Government has donated £200,000 to the appeal through their Humanitarian Emergency Fund.
The money has already been allocated to the DEC’s member charities who are now using the funds to respond to the crisis in Gaza and Lebanon.
Six of the charities are based in Scotland, including the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save the Children and Tearfund and they are now working to help people who need it in the region.
In Gaza, 90% of the population has already been displaced with food and water scarce and in the West Bank, vital water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure has been damaged.
More than a million people in Lebanon have been forced to leave their homes as violence increased in the country in recent weeks too.
More than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military offensive in the wake of the October 7 attacks, with disease and hunger rife in the occupied enclave.
The number of people facing ‘catastrophic’ levels of hunger is expected to triple in the next six months.
The majority of the funds from this appeal will be spent in Gaza and Lebanon, where millions of people are displaced and are in need of humanitarian support.
Some of the funds will also be used to support people in the West Bank, while in Israel there are still families of those held hostage awaiting news of their loved ones and the DEC are continuing to monitor the situation and needs in the country, with a number of charities in a position to expand their response to include Israel if need.
As part of the appeal, it was revealed at the start that £10 could provide blankets to for two people to keep them warm, £50 could provide emergency food for five families for one week and £100 could provide emergency shelter for 5 families.
They are also providing hot meals, dry goods and food parcels as well as supplies for community kitchens feeding displaced people.
They have also been distributing clean drinking water, toilets and hygiene kits, supporting field hospitals in Gaza with equipment and medical staff, supplying shelter support such as tents, offering cash vouchers to help people buy mattresses and blankets as well as providing psychological support.
Over the past year, the conflict in the Middle East has devastated lives across the region with millions being forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
As well as the six Scottish charities, the DEC brings together nine more charities from across the UK with 14 of them working in Gaza and Lebanon and eight of the in the West Bank, including British Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children.
Rob Murray, Director for Scotland of DEC member charity British Red Cross said: “It’s amazing that Scotland has once again responded so generously to this appeal. To raise more than £2 million shows the empathy and compassion felt by people across Scotland.
“Despite the extraordinary challenges and risks, these donations will help the British Red Cross and other DEC member charities reach people Gaza, Lebanon and across the region. For all this support we say a huge thank you. Support the appeal by texting ‘HOPE’ to 70676 and make a difference today.”
READ MORE
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Six Scottish charities lead DEC's Middle East Humanitarian Appeal as crisis grows
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DEC Middle East fundraiser raises almost £1 million in Scotland in first 24 hours
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Scottish Government commits extra funding to Middle East charity appeal
The UK Government have also promised to support by matching the first £10 million of donations from the British public.
Anneliese Dodds, Minister of State for Development, said: “The suffering of civilians impacted by the conflict across the Middle East is intolerable. Humanitarian support is urgently needed for the most vulnerable people. Charities play a crucial role in providing help to those most affected and need your support.
“That is why we are matching public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to provide urgent humanitarian assistance up to £10m. This will be used to provide life-saving aid including medical supplies, shelter and clean water to those who need it most.”
Stay up to date with developments in the region, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC in Scotland on X/Twitter. Donations can be made at www.dec.org.uk/ or by calling 0330 123 0333 or Text HOPE to 70676 to donate £10.
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