⚠️ IMPORTANT - Gaza emergency

Dear David,

As you are no doubt aware, there is currently a humanitarian pause in Gaza. We have now been in contact with our local partner staff from the Near East Council of Churches (NECC) and DSPR. I wanted to share the latest information from the ground with you today.

Over the past two months, hospitals, clinics, and churches have been bombed. At least 60% of housing in the Gaza Strip has now been destroyed or is uninhabitable.

Even more significantly, the human cost of this tragedy is enormous. Over 1.7 million people have been forcibly displaced, and thousands of lives have been lost. Devastatingly, this includes two of our local partner staff and their families, and many others remain unaccounted for.

Immediately following the pause in conflict, our local partners launched the emergency phase of their response.

The team are now distributing emergency hygiene kits and cash assistance, allowing families who have lost everything to buy urgent basic needs including food, water, and winter clothing.

Our partner staff are also working in partnership with a local hospital to provide essential healthcare services and medicine, as well as provide crucial mental health support to 2,000 children. The needs are significant.

David, we cannot do this alone. We are calling on compassionate people like you to stand with us and support those who need it most. If you are able, I invite you to consider making a gift today to support the people of Gaza in this time of crsis. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected.

Nader, who is the Executive Secretary for DSPR, wanted me to share this message with you:

"I want to express my gratitude to all your supporters. Your care, concern, and generosity are not just bringing back hope but are making a real difference in the lives of those affected by this crisis. Your solidarity reflects shared values of justice, compassion, and the fundamental right to live with dignity."

The team also shared the following prayer requests with us. If you pray, please would you join us in prayer:

For the continuation of the humanitarian pause, that it would bring about a complete ceasefire and that peace and calm could be restored with a complete end to all forms of violence in Gaza.
For children, women, the sick, the injured and the most vulnerable who are struggling to stay alive in the most dangerous and deprived environment.
For the DSPR Gaza and NECC staff for their safety and the safety of their families, and that they can take advantage of the humanitarian pause to replenish all that they need.
For DSPR and NECC for wisdom, strength, and perseverance as we continue to serve the poor and most vulnerable in our communities so that we can meet the urgent needs of our communities in a timely manner.

Your gifts, your thoughts and prayers, and your voice matters and makes a difference.

Thank you.

Geoff
Head of Partnerships and Programs
Act For Peace

P.S. While the humanitarian pause in Gaza is a small step in the right direction, it is simply not enough. Please join us in calling on the government to demand a permanent ceasefire. You can use this website to find the contact details of your local senators and members. You will be able to either write a letter or email to ask them to call for an immediate ceasefire. Or this site to find out who your elected representative is so that you can contact them.