Humanitarian - Gaza

Two years of war in Gaza have resulted in a death toll exceeding 57,000 - over 60% of whom are women, children and elderly people. The number of recorded injuries is now 134,000+. 92% of all housing has been destroyed. Over 2million people are homeless, without the bare necessities to stay alive.

The small Christian community are sheltering in the two church compounds in Gaza City and are now only to just 600 people. You may have recently heard in the media that it was bombed in July and three people were killed. Despite the call to evacuate Gaza, this community vows to remain.

Free access into Gaza is non-existent. Food and supplies are extremely low. Access for the humanitarian aid trucks is heavily controlled and intermittent.

FHL will be investing in getting general aid into Gaza by partnering with the Latin Patriarchate to provide aid convoys, when there is a window of opportunity, carrying food, medication and other everyday essentials.

The logistics of aid delivery are complex. Around 1,000 people have already lost their lives while attempting to collect food parcels. These aid convoys have provided aid to not only to the Christian Community but to as many families as possible in the area surrounding the two church compounds.

There are also around 60 elderly people left among this group contending with chronic illness; 24 have died as they were not able to access medication to help their chronic condition. Without medication those remaining in Gaza will face even shorter life expectancies.

FHL will be purchasing prescribed medications, and The Holy Family Church leadership team (within the compound) will manage the logistics, and we anticipate that this initiative will benefit 60 people every month.

For the Christian community, losing a member, exasperates the depression they are currently managing, in what can often feel like a hopeless situation.

FHL will invest over £100,000 of support into Gaza, this year. More if we receive additional funding.