【Gaza Crisis Urgent Appeal】Conflict Escalating in Lebanon, Urgently Need Your Help To Save Lives

Last update: 18/10/2024

Since 7 October 2023, the conflict between Palestine and Israel has already claimed over 130,000 lives and 1.9 million people were forcibly displaced. Over 40,000 civilians were killed in the bombings, among them, 16,000 were innocent children. In September 2024, the situation sharply deteriorated, with the conflict spreading to neighbouring Lebanon. The area has suffered intense bombings, resulting in nearly 8,000 casualties within just one month, forcing 1.2 million people to flee their homes, including 400,000 children. While countless children and women are escaping bombings, famine is on the verge of breaking out at any time.

Conflict expands to Lebanon, Refugees in Despair

Over the past year, Lebanon has faced bombings and attacks, leaving countless children and families living in the shadow of war, filled with fear and uncertainty. By September of this year, tensions escalated further, leading to intensive airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of 1,600 people, including at least 106 children. Lebanon’s economy has been on the brink of collapse for the past five years, with frequent power outages and water shortages making life unbearable for its citizens. Located next to Israel and bordering Syria, Lebanon has already hosted 1.5 million Syrian refugees and 490,000 Palestinian refugees. Now, as the conflict spills over into Lebanon, the situation for its children and families has become even more dire.

The threat of violence is widespread, forcing innocent families to flee their homes in search of safety, while facing crises of water and food shortages. The ongoing conflict has forced the closure of schools, depriving one million children of valuable learning opportunities and compelling them to grow up in an environment of unrest and instability.

Acute Malnutrition Threatens the lives of 50,000 Children in Gaza

Due to the limited humanitarian access to Gaza, a catastrophe famine is looming. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification under the UN World Food Programme, it is estimated that nearly half a million people in the Gaza Strip will fall into the “Phase 5 Catastrophe” level, with the harrowing likelihood of a famine outbreak.

As the conflicts continue and humanitarian relief remains to be hindered, it is estimated that in September this year, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification under the UN World Food Programme, 96% of the two million people in the Gaza Strip have been facing a severe food insecurity crisis, nearly half a million people have been in the fifth “catastrophic” situation, the most dangerous stage of food security, and famine would occur. *According to the UN’s definition, a famine occurs when at least 20% of the households are facing an extreme food shortage; 30% of children are suffering from acute malnutrition; and two out of 10,000 people are dying from starvation or malnutrition daily.

Once famine breaks out, it could cause more casualties. Starvation is one of the cruellest and most painful ways to die. Without enough food, life can last only a few weeks. Children who lack the necessary nutrients will gradually become emaciated and weak until the end of their lives. Even if they survive, it could cause dehydration and stunted growth, and affect organ function, causing lifelong consequences. Currently, more than one-fifth of the families in the area “have not eaten for several days.”, and even eat grass and animal feed for survival. Newborn babies even had no time to be named before they died from malnutrition. Even adults are reducing meals for their children, but they still have to witness them starve to death in vain. As of 22 June 2024, 50,000 children were suffering from acute malnutrition, and at least 34 children died of starvation. A threatening hunger crisis is looming, and more children’s lives are hanging by a thread.

Spreading Fire Worsening Humanitarian Situation, Children and Women are in Distress

Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong is anguished by the suffering of children and women in Gaza and Lebanon, “It is heartbreaking to know many children and their families in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon live in dire straits every day. Starvation, loss of loved ones, and displacement become part of their daily lives. Countless children are struggling to survive in the heat and hunger. Girls and women have to face the threat of sexual violence and live in great fear. Plan International continues to call for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire; improved, secure and unimpeded access for relief supplies so that famine can be avoided; and protection of girls and women from any forms of violence.”

Famine Is Imminent and Your Support Is Urgently Needed to Keep Children Alive

We are sincerely grateful for the generous support of our donors. Since December 2023, Plan International Egypt has been working with local organisations and delivered nineteen trucks of humanitarian aid including hot meals, food packs, first aid kits and bottled water to Gaza, benefiting over 100,000 people in need. However, famine is just around the corner, and there are still countless women and children living in dire straits and urgently waiting for help.  In response to the spreading fire,we are calling for a ceasefire andpicking up speed to deliver more life-saving aids including food, clean water, hygiene items, etc. to Gaza and Lebanon . Your support is very crucial which allows us to continue carrying out emergency relief work in Gaza and Lebanon, together, we could save more children and families out of danger!

Hunger is taking the lives of children in Gaza and Lebanon. We sincerely hope you can lend a helping hand so that these children can have sufficient food and grow up healthily!

Plan International Lebanon has been supporting children and families who have been impacted by the conflict since October 2023 and has already reached more than 28,000 internally displaced people with food, hygiene kits, baby kits, mattresses and other essential supplies. In respose to the escalation of conlict, we are working urgently to provide support to displaced families, together with other life-saving assistance.

 

We have been working with local partners and delivered more than 11,000 hot meals, 4,000 food packs and more than 3,000 bottles of water and other first aid kits to nearly 100,000 affected children and families.

 

Plan International Egypt distributed 1800 dignity kits, including sanitary napkins, underwear, etc. to meet the menstrual and hygiene needs of affected girls and women.

Our Actions：

 

 

 

• Donate $500: Provide a 1-week food basket for 2 households
• Donate $1,200: Provide a 1-week food basket for 5 households
• Donation $2,000: Provide a 2-week food basket and 4 personal hygiene kits (including soaps, toothpaste, towel, hairbrush and hand sanitiser) for 4 households
• Donate $3,500: Provide a 1-week food basket and 5 dignity kits for 15 households
• Donate $5,000: Provide a 1-week food basket, 12 personal hygiene kits (including soaps, toothpaste, towel, hairbrush and hand sanitiser) and 12 safe water kits (including water purifying tablets, oral rehydration salt, buckets and cups) for 12 households

Donation Methods:

1.Online Donation:

ONE-OFF DONATION DAILY HK$2 SUPPORT PLAN WITH CHILDREN

2. Bank Transfer*
Please make a direct deposit into HSBC account #640-068318-838.

3. Crossed Cheque*
Please make a cheque payable to Plan International Hong Kong Limited.

4. Cash Donation via Circle K, VanGO or U Select*
Please visit any Circle K, VanGO or U Select in Hong Kong and present the barcode to make a cash donation*. (Each transaction cannot exceed HK$5,000.)

5. PayMe Donation

Please scan the QR code below to donate and enter your information (English name, telephone number and email address) and state “25UNID001 – GHCA” in PayMe message box.

*Please send the original bank receipt/ crossed cheque/ Circle K, VanGO or U Select original receipt/ a screenshot of the mobile donation transaction details together with your name, telephone number and email address to Plan International Hong Kong by mail or email. Please mark “25UNID001 – GHCA”. (Email: [email protected]  Address: 21/F, 9 Chong Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong)

Disclaimer:
Plan International is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations. Please note that any donations received that exceed what is required to support this emergency will be directed to other areas with the greatest humanitarian needs, helping more children facing global crises and conflicts.