DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal raises over £50 million thanks to generous UK donations, with humanitarian needs growing as families flee Gaza City

The Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Middle East Humanitarian Appeal has now raised over £50 million thanks to the amazing generosity of the UK public. The appeal launched in October last year, and DEC charities and their local partners have been supporting people impacted by conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Syria.  

The milestone total also includes donations from DEC corporate partners and longstanding supporters, as well as £10 million matched by the UK Government as part of its UK Aid Match scheme.  

The majority of appeal funds spent so far have supported programmes in Gaza, where the catastrophic humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate. Famine has been confirmed in Gaza City and the surrounding areas, where hundreds of thousands of people are now facing displacement again as the conflict escalates further. Many have nowhere to go, and the entire population is dealing with extreme shortages of food, medicine and clean water.

Despite severe challenges delivering aid, DEC charities and their dedicated local partners are doing everything they can to continue providing some support in these unimaginable conditions, and the DEC is continuing to appeal for donations. Increased, safe and sustained access for humanitarian aid is urgently needed to meet the soaring levels of need.  

Donations to the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal are helping to provide emergency medical care for the many sick and injured, clean water in overcrowded shelters and camps, and cash assistance so people can buy the limited goods available at huge cost from local markets.  

Dire shortages of food mean DEC charities and local partners are unable to provide meals and supplies at the scale that is desperately needed. However, donations are supporting a few to purchase small amounts of locally grown fruit and vegetables to distribute to communities in need.  

Imad and his family have been displaced 3 times since the conflict escalated. They work together on a tomato farm in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. Every morning, Imad rides his donkey-drawn cart to the farm, accompanied by his wife, son and sister, where they tend to and harvest the tomatoes which provide them with a modest income.  

DEC funds are helping member charity Christian Aid’s local partner to purchase produce from farmers like Imad, and deliver it to other families in urgent need of food.  

Donations to the appeal are also supporting people in the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria. Ongoing conflict, instability and displacement continue to devastate lives and livelihoods across the region, and the humanitarian needs remain extremely high.  

Simon Beresford, Director of Fundraising at the DEC, said:

“The incredible amount raised for the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal so far shows how generous the UK public have been supporting people impacted by this devastating humanitarian crisis. In Gaza, the challenges that DEC charities and their partners are facing as they carry out their lifesaving work are critical. As the crisis continues, they desperately need increased access for aid, and safer conditions to allow them to help more families living without food, water or basic supplies. Donations are still making a difference in Gaza and across the region every day, and our sincere thanks go to everyone who continues to support this appeal. Please donate now.”  

Dan Stewart, Head of News at DEC charity Save the Children UK, speaking from Gaza said:   

“The situation in Gaza is beyond catastrophic. No words or images can capture the scale of children’s suffering. They are starving, injured by bullets and bombs, torn from their families, and forced to flee repeatedly. For many, survival feels like choosing which suffering and death to endure. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the UK public, the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal has raised £50 million. I have seen first-hand how this is helping Save the Children, and our partners deliver life-saving food, clean water, shelter, education and psychological support. But the need is overwhelming. Both funding and access are urgently needed.  We encourage the UK public to keep giving so we can reach more children in desperate need.”

Notes to editors    

Media enquiries please call 07930 999 014 or 07890 839 270 (out of hours).     
Interview requests: For spokespeople, pictures and b-roll please contact: sgard@dec.org.uk 

About the DEC: The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help, and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response.    

All 15 of the DEC’s members are responding in the Middle East and are receiving funds from this appeal. Several are also working through trusted local partners.  

They are Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.    

The majority of appeal funds spent so far are supporting programmes in Gaza, where more than 2 million people desperately need humanitarian support. Funds are also supporting people in Lebanon, where many are still displaced and facing significant challenges following the ceasefire agreement in November 2024.  

Some of the funds are supporting people in Syria, where many families fled from Lebanon last year, and in the West Bank, where the escalation in violence has forced many to flee their homes, and had a devastating economic impact.    

For the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal, £10 million of donations from the UK public have now been matched by UK Aid Match.   

Through UK Aid Match the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) gives the British public the opportunity to have a say in how the UK aid budget is spent whilst boosting the impact of the very best British charities to change and save the lives of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.      

UK Aid Match enquiries should be directed to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Please call 020 7023 0600 (24-hour).