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Gaza appeal launched by Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza appeal launched by Disasters Emergency Committee
(34 minutes later)
A coalition of aid charities is launching an appeal to help hundreds of thousands of people who have fled their homes in Gaza.A coalition of aid charities is launching an appeal to help hundreds of thousands of people who have fled their homes in Gaza.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which brings together 13 leading UK aid charities in times of crisis, said 500,000 people had been forced from their homes, and up to 1.5 million had no access to water, sanitation or medical care.The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which brings together 13 leading UK aid charities in times of crisis, said 500,000 people had been forced from their homes, and up to 1.5 million had no access to water, sanitation or medical care.
The current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is 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 current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is the longest lull in a war that has killed nearly 1,900 Palestinians so far, 75% of them civilians, according to the UN. Israel says 64 soldiers have been killed, and three civilians.
The DEC's chief executive, Saleh Saeed, said: "After four weeks of terrible fighting, Gaza is on the edge. Many people are living in terribly overcrowded UN shelters, but they still need food and basic household items which we take for granted. Many are in urgent need of medical care, but hospital supplies are almost finished.The DEC's chief executive, Saleh Saeed, said: "After four weeks of terrible fighting, Gaza is on the edge. Many people are living in terribly overcrowded UN shelters, but they still need food and basic household items which we take for granted. Many are in urgent need of medical care, but hospital supplies are almost finished.
"Even before the conflict began, the people of Gaza were close to breaking point. Now we are seeing a humanitarian emergency affecting virtually every man, woman and child in Gaza. The DEC's member agencies and their partners are on the ground but they need funds to meet the huge needs. They are relying on the generosity of the British people to make a difference in Gaza.""Even before the conflict began, the people of Gaza were close to breaking point. Now we are seeing a humanitarian emergency affecting virtually every man, woman and child in Gaza. The DEC's member agencies and their partners are on the ground but they need funds to meet the huge needs. They are relying on the generosity of the British people to make a difference in Gaza."
Eleven DEC member agencies are supporting work or planning to work inside Gaza, with many rapidly increasing their level of assistance. Some agencies have worked through the fighting despite the considerable risks involved and others have responded when and where lulls in the fighting allow, the DEC said.Eleven DEC member agencies are supporting work or planning to work inside Gaza, with many rapidly increasing their level of assistance. Some agencies have worked through the fighting despite the considerable risks involved and others have responded when and where lulls in the fighting allow, the DEC said.
Oxfam has delivered safe water to up to 175,000 people per day and British Red Cross partners are supporting emergency medical services.Oxfam has delivered safe water to up to 175,000 people per day and British Red Cross partners are supporting emergency medical services.
Donations can be made at dec.org.uk, via a 24-hour hotline, over the counter at a bank or post office, or £5 a time by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.Donations can be made at dec.org.uk, via a 24-hour hotline, over the counter at a bank or post office, or £5 a time by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.