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Where you can donate to help Gaza — Updated

Refugee children from northern Gaza receiving aid from Palestine Children's Relief Fund
Refugee children from northern Gaza receiving aid from Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

Can’t bear to stand by another second and do nothing while the occupied Palestinians in Gaza undergo unbearable suffering from Israeli bombardment and raids (but you don’t feel like you have the power to change events)? I can’t, so I’m giving money. Food, shelter, water and healthcare, appropriate for a war zone, already in short supply, must be desperately needed. Here, in no particular order, is a non-exclusive list of organizations (hyperlinked to their web sites) that are working in Gaza now and need support.

UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Organization for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) is the UN organization that runs those schools that the Israeli’s keep shelling, most recently two days ago when ten people were killed and many wounded, prompting U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to call it “a moral outrage and a criminal act.” UNRWA staff have been among the victims of this and other violence. Global News reports that the staff of UNRWA, which runs 82 schools and provides food, shelter to over 200,000 displaced Palestinians, are at a “breaking point” trying to deal with this humanitarian crisis. Tax deductible donations in the US can be made through US Friends of UNRWA, a 501(c)(3) .

For those who prefer to donate through a somewhat smaller organization,
The Jerusalem Fund is a Washington based 501(c)(3) that does cultural, educational and humanitarian work on behalf of Palestinians in particular those living in the Occupied Territories and surrounding refugee camps. Its “Humanitarian Link” gives small grants to needy hospitals, schools, orphanages and human rights groups. Its Emergency Gaza Appeal promises that 100% of donations to this appeal will be earmarked for humanitarian relief and rebuilding in Gaza.

Another smaller but effective organization, Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) is a US-based non-profit humanitarian aid organization that has delivered millions of dollars in food, medicine and medical supplies to children in the West Bank and Gaza, Iraq and Lebanon. According to its web site, MECA provides financial assistance for community projects in the West Bank and Gaza such as sports teams, arts programs, English classes, computer technology, media training, playgrounds and psychosocial support. MECA is currently seeking emergency aid for children in Gaza— food, milk, medicine.

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund has an urgent Gaza fund. “PCRF is responding to this ongoing crisis by identifying injured kids and providing them with critical medical care, as well as providing poor, displaced families with the urgent humanitarian aid that is needed.” Writes one donor on the site: “I hope this sand grain will be useful, somehow…”

Three other larger organizations that do critical work on behalf of the Palestinians are: Save the Children-Gaza Children in Crisis; Medecins sans Frontieres (call 1-888-392-0392 to earmark your gift to their Gaza relief efforts which appear to be mostly in the important area of trauma counseling); the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies); and CARE (West Bank/Gaza crisis).

A website called Gaza Siege lists these and other organizations that work in Gaza and seems very comprehensive both in terms of the relief organizations it lists as well as background and current information and reports.

Update: Since the August 5th posting of “Where You Can Donate to Help Gaza”, readers have identified a number of other organizations working to provide relief in Gaza, all of which really need support at this time of such unimaginable suffering at the hands of the Israelis: Medical Aid For Palestinians, a UK based organization;  Catholic Relief Services , a 501(c)(3) which allows for earmarking donations to Gaza as a “special request” on its web site; ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid), a 501(c)(3) operating since 1968 with over 80 full time staff operating in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon; United Palestinian Appeal, a 501(c)(3); Islamic Relief USA, a 501(c)(3); and the Gaza Mental Health Foundation, a 501(c)(3) (contributions by check only/no credit cards).

We will update this post as we learn of other organizations providing relief. Our site cannot endorse or vouch for the validity of organizations’ efforts, but see this list as a service for those who want to give to relieve the suffering. –Ed.

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Thank you for this valuable resource. UNWRA is a particular favorite of mine.

(I know where we can get 3+ billion dollars…)

Here is the link to how to donate to Gaza through Catholic Relief Services, which I believe is the biggest Christian charity in Gaza:

http://emergencies.crs.org/update-crs-responds-in-gaza-during-brief-ceasefire/

(Given Phil’s past expressions of hostility to the Catholic Church, not sure how welcome posting this will be, but I thought I’d post it anyway. In my opinion, its very important for prospects of peace in the Middle East for Christians to donate to causes like this. Catholic Relief Service is a very efficient use of money as well, unlike ICRC.)

Should we the people pay when israel bomb Palestine every year? No this is what israel should pay for, maily because she is the occupying regime.

I think the Jerusalem Fund and the other charities listed are very good as well, but I advise people not to donate to UNWRA, which is in bed with the US gov’t (Read Asad Abu Khalil on this if you doubt me), Chris Gunness’ crying notwithstanding.

Also, donate to the Electronic Intifada, which is the best source of news and advocacy in the US on Palestine.

Finally, I’ve donated to United Palestinian Appeal, which does good work for orphans and disabled children in Gaza and WB:

http://www.helpupa.org/

Besides Palestine Children Relief Fund which does amazing work
For immediate needs, Islamic Relief does incredible work on the ground – despite their religious name they also work with impoverished communities in Africa. Americas who are not Muslim. Their administrative charges are not high so at least funds are directed as one stipulates.
I wonder Heifer does donations specifically for Gaza considering the loss of animas/livestock?
Smile train would be important in the long run.