Like many folks observing the latest conflict in the Middle East I have been feeling a sense of helplessness. At times like this often the only option is to identify organizations that are actually providing aid and support to people caught up in the nightmare situation. So here’s a brief list of international and regional groups who are actively helping. Please consider supporting them in their efforts.
Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) describes itself as an “independent and impartial humanitarian organization” that delivers emergency medical care in places that need it. It does not currently run medical programs in Israel — citing its strong emergency and health systems — but says it has offered support to Israeli hospitals treating a high number of casualties. It does provide medical care in Gaza and is focused on meeting immediate emergency needs there, including donating medical supplies.
Magen David Adom is Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service — the equivalent of a Red Cross. It says donations will be used to make sure responders and volunteers have all the training, equipment and medical supplies (including blood) to treat injured people. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies will match all donations to Magen David Adom.
Middle East Children’s Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to children’s rights in the Middle East, and supports dozens of community projects for Palestinian children.It says its team and partners are preparing to procure medical supplies for hospitals as well as provide emergency assistance to families who have fled their homes. Donations will go to provide medical aid, clean water, food and psychological support, it says.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in over 190 countries and territories to protect children’s lives and rights. Spokesperson James Elder said 1.1 million children were already in need of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank before the current escalation of violence. UNICEF and its partners are on the ground in Gaza delivering medical supplies and fuel, as well as mental health and psychosocial support, he added.
The Jewish Agency for Israel is a global nonprofit, while its Fund for Victims of Terror provides immediate financial assistance to victims and their families.The group says it has disbursed hundreds of grants since the violence started, with representatives delivering checks of more than $1,000 within 48 hours of an event. It anticipates distributing more, as well as following up with long-term recovery and rehabilitative support.
The Jewish Federations of North America represents nearly 400 Jewish communities in the U.S. and Canada, and raises money to support the Jewish community on the continent and around the world.It says it’s working with core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild infrastructure and address “the unprecedented levels of trauma” caused by the attack.It launched a $500 million campaign to support Israelis, with funding to be divided between urgent humanitarian needs and long-term rebuilding and rehabilitation. The group said Thursday it’s already allocated $10 million to 20 organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel.
Anera addresses the development and relief needs of refugees and others hurt by conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Jordan. It’s working to provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians and residents of East Jerusalem.
According to its website, $30 can provide the Central Blood Bank Society in Gaza with 16 bags, $80 will provide a hygiene kit for two displaced families, $100 can provide a displaced family with enough food for seven to 10 days, and $200 will provide food to two families.
IsraAID is the largest humanitarian aid organization in Israel, and has responded to global disasters in over 50 countries. It’s collecting donations through its Emergency Response Fund, and says its plans will develop as needs on the ground evolve.
So far, it’s working local partners to: coordinate humanitarian activities in shelters housing evacuees from the Gaza border region, operate child-friendly spaces where kids can play and process, distribute resilience kits with stress relief activities for kids and families, train local teams on self-care and stress relief and train local mental health specialists on emergency-specific psychosocial support.
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund provides medical and humanitarian relief to Arab children, regardless of nationality or religion, and has had a presence in Gaza for some 30 years. It says donations mean access to medical care, mental health support and essential supplies for kids in Gaza.
Save the Children says it’s disbursed $1 million from its emergency fund to help its teams respond to lifesaving needs in both Israel and Gaza “when it is safe to do so.”
The NGO says its teams and their families are bracing for what’s next, knowing that children have “never emerged unscathed” — both in terms of their physical and mental health. Donations to its Children’s Emergency Fund will go towards warm blankets, nutritious food, health care and other supports.
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