At the heart of the lifesaving aid being delivered by DEC charities and their partners in Gaza, are local aid workers. People who despite dealing with enormous challenges personally and professionally, continue to make incredible sacrifices to help others.

Conflict in the Middle East has devastated lives across the region, and millions have fled their homes in search of safety. The humanitarian needs are incredibly high.

As winter approaches, nine out of ten people in Gaza are displaced, most more than once, and living in makeshift camps.

As is so often the case in humanitarian crises, women are disproportionately affected. Most have no privacy, sharing often inadequate sanitation facilities with hundreds - sometimes thousands - of others and without suitable clothing for the winter months.