Appeal to Northern Ireland public to donate to DEC’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal as UK Government announces further aid match

The UK Government has announced it is matching donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal up to a further £3 million, to help DEC charities support vulnerable families in the Middle East this winter.

In Gaza, where the majority of funds from the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal are being spent, recent heavy rain has caused flooding that has inundated tents and destroyed people’s belongings. A dire shortage of shelter and essential items means children are facing cold nighttime temperatures without warm clothes or blankets. 

The announcement comes as charities and fundraisers across the country mark Giving Tuesday, an annual opportunity for people to support the causes they care about by donating, volunteering and celebrating the good work of others.

The DEC’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal has raised more than £55 million since its launch in October 2024, reaching people impacted by conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Syria with lifesaving aid.  The UK Government previously matched £10 million of donations when the appeal launched, as part of its UK Aid Match scheme.

Since October’s ceasefire agreement in Gaza, DEC charities and their local partners have been able to scale up their work thanks to generous UK donations to the appeal. Although goods are available again in local markets and malnutrition rates are finally decreasing, the needs in Gaza remain huge. Over 80% of homes have been damaged or destroyed, and families are spending their third winter in makeshift shelters having been displaced multiple times. The harsh weather means living conditions are deteriorating rapidly and the risk of diseases is spreading.

Increased access for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza at scale is still desperately needed, but despite the challenges, DEC charities are working around the clock to deliver cash, medical care, food, clean water, essential supplies and so much more.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The situation in Gaza remains critical, with winter weather taking conditions from bad to worse. Innocent families are facing icy winds and biting rain, forced to live in exposed conditions. 

“We must act now to get vital winter aid to those that need it. Supported by people’s generous donations from across Northern Ireland, the DEC’s aid partners have already done so much, and they have the skills and knowhow to effect real change on the ground – delivering aid, winter supplies and shelter. 

“That is why the UK Government will match every donation made to this worthy cause pound for pound, up to the value of £3 million, so we can work together to support the people of Gaza in their time of need.” 

 Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive of the DEC, said: “It’s heartbreaking to see the damage caused by the recent rain in Gaza. People were already living in unimaginably difficult conditions, and winter is making life even more unbearable for families living in tents with little protection from the elements. The public’s generosity towards this appeal has been wonderful to see, and donations continue to provide a lifeline. Every pound donated to the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal is now being matched by the UK Government up to £3 million, and the DEC are providing vital funding to member charities and their local partners so they can reach the most vulnerable. This Giving Tuesday, please support the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to help families survive the winter.”

Chris Thompson, Northern Ireland Director at Tearfund said: “Families in Gaza are facing winter in devastating conditions, with little shelter or protection from the cold. Support from people in Northern Ireland has always been remarkable, and with donations now being matched by the UK government, every pound goes twice as far. Your generosity can help provide warmth, safety and hope to those who need it most.”

Jamil Sawalmeh, Country Director for ActionAid Palestine said: 

“Children are sleeping in flooded tents, parents are burning scraps of plastic to stay warm, and entire communities are being washed into the mud. Our partners and staff are watching their shelters collapse in the rain, no one in Gaza is safe from this storm. No one can survive a winter like this without proper shelter".

Donations can be made at  dec.org.uk , or by calling 0370 60 60 610