The 13 British aid agencies which make up the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) have issued an emergency appeal for the citizens of Gaza. The DEC agencies are Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision. Funds received as a result of the appeal are split amongst those agencies working in Gaza.
The DEC Chief Executive, Brendan Gormley, said: “We are not proposing to attempt to rebuild Gaza – that is not our role. But with the public’s support we can help relieve short-term needs. Agencies are already providing food, drugs and blankets as well as delivering clean water. But we will soon reach the limit of what we can do, without more money. For Gazans struggling to survive, receiving urgent humanitarian aid will help them take the first step to recovery.”
He added: “We work on the basis of humanitarian need and there is an urgent need in Gaza today. Political solutions are for others to resolve, but what is of major concern to us all is that many innocent people have been affected by the situation – and it is them that we seek to help.”
In addition, the Bishop of Jerusalem, Bishop Suheil Dawani, has appealed for help to support the Anglican Church’s hospitals and medical clinics in Gaza which are operating well beyond capacity.
In the Diocese of Hereford, The Bishop, Anthony Priddis is backing the Appeal and encouraging people to respond. “I am very pleased to add my support for the Bishop of Jerusalem. This is a major humanitarian problem that I hope our congregations will respond to as generously as possible, whether to the DEC appeal or to the Bishop of Jerusalem via USPG. The Anglican Church has a presence in the whole area of Israel and the Palestinian territories. Quite obviously, all the people throughout the area need help and continuing prayer.”
Donations to the DEC appeal can be made to any DEC member or through the DEC itself at https://www.donate.bt.com/bt_form_gaza.html.
Donations to the Bishop of Jerusalem’s appeal can be made through USPG’s Rapid Response Fund at http://www.uspg.org.uk/donate_rapid_form.php
Anni Holden, Director of Communications
The Diocesan Office, The Palace, Hereford HR4 9BL
Tel: 01432 373342 mobile 07889 186316
a.holden@hereford.anglican.org
www.hereford.anglican.org