- ITV Report
Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza appeal: How you can donate
A new appeal is being launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) following the latest outbreak of violence following the end of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The DEC, which brings together 13 leading UK aid charities in "times of crisis", said it was "saddened" by the renewed violence.
For more information on the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal, visit www.dec.org.uk, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque. Donations of £5 can also be made by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.
The DEC said agencies used the temporary truce to supply clean water, food, household items, emergency shelter and medical supplies, as well as help children and other vulnerable people to cope with the psychological effects of the conflict. The rapid scale-up of the aid effort came as the DEC launched its Gaza Crisis Appeal including a televised advert which all of the UK's main broadcasters have agreed to show.
The latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was the longest lull in a war that has killed nearly 1,900 Palestinians so far, 75% of them civilians, according to the United Nations. Israel has lost 67 people, including three civilians.
The DEC said that the conflict has led to the entire population of Gaza being left without adequate access to medical care and around 1.4 million people with none or very limited access to water and sanitation. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes over the past month and 65,000 people have seen them destroyed or damaged beyond repair.
Donations are already being received, with:
- £25 can buy 150 bandages
- £50 can feed five families for a day
- £100 can provide an emergency shelter kit and blankets for one family
The Government has said it will match the first £2 million of donations from members of the public to the DEC's appeal. The new £2 million commitment will take the UK Government's total support for the people of Gaza since the start of the crisis to £17 million.