【Gaza Crisis Urgent Appeal】500,000 People Enduring “Catastrophe” Level of Acute Food Insecurity, Urgently Need Your Help to Save Lives

Last update: 25/07/2024

Since 7 October 2023, the conflict between Palestine and Israel has already claimed over 100,000 lives in just nine months and 1.9 million people were forcibly displaced. 40,000 civilians were killed in the bombings, among them, 14,000 were innocent children. Recently, intensive attacks at safe zones, displacement camps, and schools in Gaza have caused serious casualties. While countless children and women in Gaza are escaping bombings, famine is on the verge of breaking out at any time. Since the entry of humanitarian supplies into Gaza has been obstructed, the United Nations estimates that more than 90% of children in Gaza lack the basic food needed for development. With the onset of the hot summer, countless children and women are on the brink of scorching heat, hunger and thirst, with their lives hanging by a thread.

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.

If the conflicts continue and humanitarian relief remains to be hindered, it is estimated that from June to 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 will face a severe food insecurity crisis, nearly half a million people will be in the fifth “catastrophic” situation, the most dangerous stage of food security, and a famine will soon 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.

Scorching Heat Worsening Humanitarian Situation, Children and Women are in Distress

With the advent of hot summer, the average temperature exceeds 30 degrees in Gaza. However, due to pollution caused by the conflict, nearly 96% of the water is not suitable for drinking. Children and families are at risk of dehydration and heatstroke due to water shortages, power outages and poor sanitary conditions; Furthermore, hot weather makes it easier for mosquitoes to breed, exacerbating the crisis of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. The situation is devastating!

Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong is anguished by the suffering of children and women in Gaza, “It is heartbreaking to know many children and their families in the Gaza Strip 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. Apart from calling for a ceasefire, we are picking up speed to deliver more life-saving aids including food, clean water, hygiene items, etc. to Gaza. Your support is very crucial which allows us to continue carrying out emergency relief work in Gaza, together, we could save more children and families out of danger!

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

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.