Help for people affected by the Gaza war
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.
«The parties involved must urgently ensure that sufficient relief supplies can be made available to the civilian population again. 95 percent of the people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.»Peter LackDirector of Caritas Switzerland
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!
The current situation in the Gaza Strip
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. Food and other essential goods have largely been used up. Our partner organizations on the ground are currently only able to distribute relief supplies because they were able to replenish their warehouses during the ceasefire.
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. [SB1] 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.
[SB1]the few hospitals that are still operational have difficulties cooling vaccinations, performing operations or continuing to provide equipment such as incubators without electricity. Gasoline is also scarce, and without it, ambulances can no longer drive, and generators that can otherwise be used in the event of a power outage do not work either.
The 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. This makes the daily journey to school, for example, difficult and dangerous for pupils . Children are increasingly exposed to delays, harassment and even violence.
Our local partner organizations provide tireless help
Our two local partner organizations Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Caritas Jerusalem have been working in the Gaza Strip and West Bank for decades, tirelessly providing life-saving aid to the civilian population. They are constantly adapting their support to the prevailing circumstances and the needs of the civilian population.
Due to recurring offensives, work in various areas has to be paused time and again. Warehouses are no longer accessible at times and their stocks are running low. Hundreds of thousands of people, including employees of our partner organizations, are forced to flee disputed areas.
Relief supplies and psychosocial support from CRS
CRS's emergency aid projects focus on the delivery of relief supplies. Since October 2023, our partner has been distributing bedding, tarpaulins and tents, repair and kitchen kits, hygiene products and food parcels. Supplies were fully replenished during the ceasefire, but will soon be exhausted as the border crossings are blocked.
In addition to the distributions, CRS also provides cash aid, distributes water daily with a water truck and has already installed more than 1,000 latrines. Another important aspect of the aid provided by CRS is psychosocial support. Specialists provide psychological first aid and offer trauma and grief counseling for children and adults. The locations for this support are constantly being expanded where possible.
Medical care through Caritas Jerusalem
The humanitarian aid provided by our partner organization Caritas Jerusalem focuses on medical care for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Various medical teams treat common and/or chronic illnesses, care for mothers and children and look after the elderly. They operate primarily in areas where access to healthcare is still very limited
Caritas Jerusalem also offers psychosocial support in individual and group settings as well as play therapy for children and adults. These services are constantly being expanded to meet the growing demand for psychological help. In addition, our partner supports people with arm or leg amputations with locally manufactured prostheses and rehabilitation services. The reconstruction of medical facilities and cash assistance for families in extreme need are also part of the aid.
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