As the conflicts continues to rage in Gaza and Lebanon, it is all too easy for us to turn away or lose hope that anything can be done for the millions of people across the region whose lives have been devastated over the past year.

However, the response of the public to our Middle East Humanitarian Appeal has once again been remarkable. After just two weeks more than £2 million has been raised in Scotland, more than £20 million across the UK.

First of all, on behalf of all 15 of the DEC’s member charities and their incredibly brave and resolute local first responders, I say a huge thank you to each and every individual and organisation that has once again responded with compassion for those most desperately in need of support.

Our combined efforts - and the key humanitarian principles that underpin them - have been bolstered once again by powerful cross party backing for the Appeal at Holyrood. 

A policeman checks a destroyed journalists' car after an Israeli airstrike killed three media staffers from two different news agencies in Hasbaya village, southeast Lebanon (Image: AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

We’re also hugely grateful to the Scottish Government for their support with the release of £200,000 from the Humanitarian Emergency Fund, followed by a wide range of business and civil society partners who have donated directly or encouraged their staff and customers to back the Appeal.

We are hugely thankful for our partnership with the Herald who have given us space to share with readers the urgency of the Appeal, the stories of individuals and families whose lives have been shattered by the violence and our strict adherence to neutrality and impartiality in prioritising humanitarian support for those who need help the most.  As in all conflicts, that means the elderly, those with disabilities, women and of course children. 

More than half the population in Gaza are children and as well as being direct victims of the violence, it’s hard to overstate the longer-term consequences on their health and mental wellbeing as well as their education.

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Some readers may remember the story of Maged we shared last week.  He speaks of the terror of the sound of explosions in the night, missing school and instead queuing for two hours for clean water.  He tells us that he used to dream of being a professional footballer but that has been shattered with the fields he used to play in now devastated.

Across Gaza, children are dying not only from their injuries but now due to disease and hunger.  Ninety percent of the population have been forced from their homes or temporary shelters, often many times.  In Lebanon, a country already that has already accepted huge numbers of refugees from Syria, one million people have been forced from their homes. 

The imperative to respond has been galvanised by the heroic, unstinting efforts of local responders who’re continuing to deliver aid in their communities despite losing family members and colleagues over the past, terrifying year. A record number of humanitarian workers have already been killed in the past year.

During the Appeal we heard from Ghada who has been working with Oxfam.  She and her family have had to move seven times during the conflict and right now she’s living in a damaged room with 17 family members, with only a sheet for a ceiling. She told me that they often have just one loaf of bread to share.  Despite this, Ghada continues to work tirelessly and tells me that people in the streets are so relieved when they see the Oxfam logo on her jacket knowing that she is bringing food parcels and what’s inside them. It’s the local people like Ghada who are suffering themselves but are still helping others that is so inspiring and gives me hope.

Whilst our members are still experiencing huge complexities and dangers in reaching those most in need, they have demonstrated great ingenuity and flexibility in working with what they have to make a difference and the huge injection of funds from the DEC Appeal is already allowing them to extend their operations.

The six DEC members who’ve been leading the fundraising efforts in Scotland can build on the amazing work they’ve already delivered.  The British Red Cross has supported the Palestine Red Crescent in providing medical support to more than 100,000 people in Gaza and more than 1.5 million emergency aid items.  Islamic Relief has provided 17,600 medical items and equipment in Lebanon and food, water and psychosocial support in Gaza. 

Palestinians observe damage in the wake of Israeli airstrikes in Khan Yunis, Gaza on October 25, 2024.Palestinians observe damage in the wake of Israeli airstrikes in Khan Yunis, Gaza on October 25, 2024. (Image: Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Christian Aid has been supplying clean water to more than 200,000 people in Gaza and providing safer spaces and fun learning activities for children.  Oxfam have already reached more than 750,000 people in Gaza with hygiene kits, food, direct cash support and repair of water supplies. 

Save The Children have reached a similar number with medical supplies, hygiene and support of ambulance and other hospital services.  Tearfund is also helping at clinics in support of child and maternal health and, in Lebanon, working with church partners to shelter those made homeless in recent weeks.

Thanks to the generosity of people across Scotland, this lifeline of support will be strengthened and adapted as needs evolve across the region.

Despite the enormous challenges ahead, the solidarity and generosity of the public here has strengthened the resolve of DEC member charities and given fresh hope to their trusted local partners to continue to all that they can continue to save and rebuild lives in the months ahead.

Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive, Disasters Emergency Committee

* If you can, please help the Appeal by texting HOPE to 70676 to donate £10, donate via the DEC website at https://bit.ly/DECScotHope or call 0330 123 0333