LONDON, Oct 17, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Leading UK charities on Thursday launched an urgent appeal for funds to meet what they called "huge levels of need" in Gaza, Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.

"Over the past year, conflict in the Middle East has devastated lives across the region, and millions have fled their homes in search of safety," the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) said in a statement.

The DEC brings together 15 charities, including Oxfam and ActionAid, to launch national appeals "at times of crisis overseas".

"Millions of people, including many thousands of children, are dealing with almost unimaginable trauma," said DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed.
"Our member charities urgently need more funds to meet the huge levels of need. We are asking people to please donate now to save lives," Saeed added.

The UK government will match donations to the Middle East Humanitarian appeal up to o10 million ($13 million).

"The suffering of civilians impacted by the conflict across the Middle East is intolerable," said UK development minister Anneliese Dodds.

According to the DEC, the scale of the need in Gaza was "overwhelming", while shelters and hospitals were "struggling" in Lebanon, where the conflict has spread in the last month. It also noted the impact on the occupied West Bank.

The coalition has in the past raised money for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Rohingya refugees in 2017, as well more than $570 million during the Ukraine war.

The coalition said that while Israelis have also been displaced and are dealing with "the trauma of the conflict", the appeal did not include Israel at the moment.

"The DEC is monitoring the evolving situation and a number of DEC charities are ready to expand their response to include Israel if significant unmet humanitarian needs are identified," it added.