Concern launches appeal to fund emergency response in Gaza

“Funds raised will be used to provide nutrition, water and sanitation, and to distribute hygiene products and other essential household items,” Concern Worldwide Chief Executive David Regan said.

The entire population of the Gaza Strip (2.23 million people) is currently facing acute food insecurity, meaning that people do not know where their next meal is coming from.   Half the population is estimated to be facing catastrophic food shortages or famine-like conditions.

Overall, 50,400 children aged under-five are estimated to be acutely malnourished. The entire population of Gaza is facing a critical water shortage.

“Concern has already allocated €250,000 from our emergency funds and we plan to bolster this with donations to the Gaza appeal launched today,” Mr Regan said. 

“We are appalled at the scale of humanitarian need and are calling for an end to the conflict so that needs can be addressed, the hostages can be released, and desperate families can have safe access to essential humanitarian aid including food, water and shelter.”

Concern is working through the Italian non-governmental organisation CESVI, which has a long established presence in Gaza. Both Concern and CESVI are members of the European network of non-government organisations, Alliance2015, and have successfully worked together in the past.

“CESVI has now reached the point at which it needs additional funding to continue to expand its response, and Concern is supporting this.  We will use the funds raised to meet the immediate needs of the most affected populations,” Mr Regan said. 

CESVI distributed 18 tonnes of therapeutic food, used to treat malnourished children, to seven clinics in Gaza during March. Based on recent findings, it aims to provide a further seven tonnes of therapeutic food.

It will truck clean water to targeted communities and distribute water containers to schools and community facilities. 

With 1.9 million people (85% of the population of Gaza) forced to flee their homes, water, sanitation and hygiene supports are urgently needed.  CESVI will distribute hygiene items such as soap and detergent, and rehabilitate water and sanitation facilities to enhance living conditions for displaced families.

To support Concern’s Gaza appeal visit www.concern.net

For media queries or arrange a media interview contact Eamon Timmins, Media Relations Manager, Concern Worldwide, at Eamon.timmins@concern.net or 087 9880524