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According to the UN, only rapid action can prevent famine in the Gaza Strip.
According to the UN, only rapid action can prevent famine in the Gaza Strip.

Help for people affected by the Gaza war

Caritas works with its partner organizations on the ground

Your donation for those affected by the conflict in the Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip is experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis since the start of the war. The situation in the West Bank is also alarming. The security situation in both regions continues to deteriorate. Hundreds of thousands of people are in urgent need of support. Caritas Switzerland and its partner organizations are providing aid to the suffering civilian population.

Since the brutal attack by armed Hamas fighters in October 2023, Israel has been waging war in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, causing immeasurable suffering for the civilian population. People lack everything and the humanitarian situation is extremely worrying. Our partners report that the security situation has also deteriorated considerably since the beginning of May 2025.

Leiterin Katastrophenhilfe
«90 percent of the population is affected by food shortages, and many are suffering from hunger because hardly any aid supplies are reaching the region. We are calling for the unhindered import of humanitarian goods and an immediate ceasefire.»Sarah busshead emergency preparedness

Let us stand by the people in need together

People are in desperate need. Your donation will provide vital aid for the suffering civilian population in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Please support our engagement - every donation counts. Thank you very much for your solidarity!

Your donation for those affected by the conflict in the Gaza Strip
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Gaza strip: worst humanitarian crisis since the start of the war

There has been a severe food shortage in the Gaza Strip for months and the civilian population is threatened by an acute famine. The people are facing the worst humanitarian crisis since the start of the war. Israel has been blocking all aid deliveries since the beginning of March 2025. Despite the fatal consequences for the people, there is no easing in sight.

«Children search for food scraps in garbage dumps, and more and more women don't have enough milk to feed their babies. In our partners' medical centers, we are seeing increasing signs of malnutrition.»livia leykauf

The power supply is also constantly interrupted and petrol is in short supply, which severely restricts the activities of hospitals in particular. Vaccinations cannot  refrigerated and equipment such as incubators and ambulances are at a standstill. The civilian population is suffering from  lack of healthcare and limited access to food, clean water and sanitary facilities. The suffering and hardship of the people continues to grow.

Alarming humanitarian situation in the West Bank

The humanitarian situation in the West Bank also remains very tense. There are regular bombings and operations by the Israeli army. Thousands of people have had to leave their homes and all their belongings behind. The intensified Israeli offensives have led to more curfews, checkpoints and roadblocks.

Our local partner organizations provide tireless help

Since October 2023, we have been working with two local partner organizations to implement emergency aid projects for the suffering civilian population in the Gaza Strip. Both partners have been active in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank for decades and tailor their support to the needs of the civilian population and the prevailing conditions. Despite the personal impact on their staff, the organizations are working tirelessly to provide life-saving emergency aid:

  1. One partner organization distributes relief supplies such as food parcels, bedding, tarpaulins, tents, water, and hygiene items, depending on availability. Although supplies were replenished during the ceasefire at the end of January, they are now almost exhausted. If the border crossings are opened to all aid organizations, new supplies can be brought in.
  2. The second partner organization focuses on medical care: medical teams treat common and/or chronic diseases, care for mothers and children, look after elderly people, and help rebuild medical facilities. In addition, our partner supports people with arm or leg amputations with locally manufactured prostheses and rehabilitation services. The partner also relies on imports of medicines and other medical supplies for medical care.
  3. Both of our partner organizations have supplemented their aid with cash payments. This enables people to buy what they need most urgently and can find locally. For example, in a project that is also co-financed by Swiss Solidarity, we are now distributing small amounts of cash instead of hygiene materials. Due to a lack of sufficient goods on the market, these are often used for services such as transport, phone credit, or even rent.
  4. Furthermore, psychosocial support is an important pillar of our partners' work on the ground, which can be continued regardless of the blockades. Experts provide psychological first aid and offer trauma and grief counseling for children and adults at various locations.
Migliaia di persone sono state costrette a fuggire, molte di loro già più volte. Non hanno altra scelta che vivere tra le rovine o in tende.
Thousands of people have been forced to flee, many of them several times. They have no other option but to live in ruins or tents. © Local Caritas-partner
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La popolazione riceve acqua corrente attraverso semplici sistemi di distribuzione.
Simple distribution systems provide people with running water. © Local Caritas-partner
2 / 4
La nostra organizzazione partner locale presta assistenza sanitaria e fornisce medicinali.
Our local partner organization provides medical assistance and distributes medication. © Local Caritas-partner
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Our partner organization distributes mattresses.
Our partner organization distributes mattresses. © Local Caritas-partner
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Migliaia di persone sono state costrette a fuggire, molte di loro già più volte. Non hanno altra scelta che vivere tra le rovine o in tende.
Thousands of people have been forced to flee, many of them several times. They have no other option but to live in ruins or tents. © Local Caritas-partner
1 / 4
La popolazione riceve acqua corrente attraverso semplici sistemi di distribuzione.
Simple distribution systems provide people with running water. © Local Caritas-partner
2 / 4
La nostra organizzazione partner locale presta assistenza sanitaria e fornisce medicinali.
Our local partner organization provides medical assistance and distributes medication. © Local Caritas-partner
3 / 4
Our partner organization distributes mattresses.
Our partner organization distributes mattresses. © Local Caritas-partner
4 / 4
Migliaia di persone sono state costrette a fuggire, molte di loro già più volte. Non hanno altra scelta che vivere tra le rovine o in tende.
Thousands of people have been forced to flee, many of them several times. They have no other option but to live in ruins or tents. © Local Caritas-partner
1 / 4
La popolazione riceve acqua corrente attraverso semplici sistemi di distribuzione.
Simple distribution systems provide people with running water. © Local Caritas-partner
2 / 4
La nostra organizzazione partner locale presta assistenza sanitaria e fornisce medicinali.
Our local partner organization provides medical assistance and distributes medication. © Local Caritas-partner
3 / 4
Our partner organization distributes mattresses.
Our partner organization distributes mattresses. © Local Caritas-partner
4 / 4

People at the center of our commitment

Caritas Switzerland and the entire Caritas network, including CRS and Caritas Jerusalem, are committed to the humanitarian principles of impartiality and independence. In this humanitarian crisis, the focus of our commitment is on the suffering civilian population.

Further information

Header image: According to the UN, only rapid action can prevent famine in the Gaza Strip. © Ismael Mohamad/UPI Photo