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West Bank/Gaza - Palestine Humanitarian Crisis

A Palestinian boy stands on the debris of his family's destroyed house.

Photo by Grayscale Media/2023

Photo by Grayscale Media/2023

Emergencies

Over two million people are at risk of dying from disease, starvation, and bombardments as the conflict wages on.

About the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Between October 7, 2023 and August 29, 2024, at least 40,602 Palestinians were killed and 93,855 were injured, with at least 10,000 still missing under the rubble. With nowhere to flee, Palestinians face relentless and widespread attacks across the enclave. As the unrelenting bombardment of Gaza continues, severely restricted humanitarian access has led to unprecedented challenges, further complicated by forced displacement orders and relentless hostilities.

The situation for 2.2 million people in Gaza is desperate and worsening by the hour. Severe overcrowding at displacement sites, lack of clean water, sanitation facilities and basic hygiene items are taking a heavy toll on civilians, especially women and children. Skin diseases and other infectious diseases are spreading at an alarming rate, underscoring the dire health and humanitarian situation. Food and clean water are in short supply and nowhere is safe in Gaza.

Since October 2023, children’s regular immunizations were disrupted, leaving them vulnerable to infection. In July 2024, the first polio case in 25 years was reported — a 10-month-old boy, who is now paralyzed in one leg. The presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more people infected but not showing symptoms. During the first three days of the polio vaccination campaign that started on September 1, 2024, CARE, in coordination with UN agencies, vaccinated 2,124 children under the age of 10. At its primary healthcare center in Deir Al-Balah, CARE provided each child with two drops of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).

How to help West Bank/Gaza – What CARE is doing

CARE has been responding to this emergency since it began. In fact, CARE was one of the first international organizations to respond, distributing prepositioned water and medical supplies.

CARE is working in the following areas:

Health: CARE opened a primary healthcare center in Deir Al-Balah on July 10, providing prenatal and postnatal care, women’s sexual and reproductive health services, nutrition for children under five years, primary health for communicable and non-communicable diseases, psychological support, and primary care medications. The clinic also served as one of the polio vaccination sites in partnership with WHO and UNICEF, helping to immunize thousands of children.

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH): Distributing bottled water and hygiene supplies, trucking water to displacement sites and collective IDP centers, installing emergency latrines and support for solid waste management, and raising awareness around proper hygiene practices.

Gender: Distributing dignity kits and working with other humanitarian actors to ensure that gender and protection are integrated into the wider humanitarian strategy.

Shelter: Providing basic shelter materials like bedding, kitchen sets, tents, and tarps to help families rebuild their homes – either directly or through cash assistance for building repairs or rent.

Food security and livelihoods: Providing food baskets, cash assistance, and individual food rations, depending on access and market availability.

Speaking out: CARE reiterates its call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire, the free flow of humanitarian aid into and across Gaza, the evacuation of the sick and wounded, and the release of all hostages.

We need your help to provide lifesaving assistance to the people affected by this devastating conflict. With your support, we can help meet urgent humanitarian needs.

CARE has worked in Gaza since 1948, and we have trusted and well-established local partnerships across the region.

*Last updated September 2024