Christian World Service Gaza Palestine Emergency Appeal
Christian World Service (CWS) has launched an emergency appeal to assist people who have been affected by the current conflict in the Middle East, particularly Gaza. The Religious Society of Friends in Aotearoa New Zealand has had a long association with CWS, being one of the 4 partner churches when CWS was first established in 1945.
CWS Writes:
On October 7, Hamas launched a major rocket and a series of ground attacks on neighbouring Israel. Israel responded with a series of air strikes and a declaration of war on the densely populated Gaza Strip. Heavy bombardments continue and people living in the north have been instructed by Israel to evacuate. By October 24, 1,400 Israeli citizens have been killed in the conflict. By October 24, 5,791 people had been killed in Gaza, of whom 68% are women and children.
The airstrikes have destroyed schools, healthcare facilities, telecommunication infrastructure and many homes. Israel has retaliated by cutting off water and electricity supplies to Gaza. It has closed all borders and is bombing the southern border region with Egypt. Tensions are increasing in the West Bank and Jerusalem, resulting in further casualties.
The need for a ceasefire is urgent but so is a humanitarian corridor to get vital supplies into Gaza.
Over one million people have been displaced, around half the population. They are in urgent need of food, water, shelter and safety.
Please donate what you can today. Funds raised will meet some of the urgent needs of people through our long term partner the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR). In Gaza, DSPR is providing shelter, food and support to people who have fled the north and who have lost homes. Some churches are hosting Muslim and Christian families from the community. Together they have secured some food supplies, but more will be needed in the months ahead.
For further information about this appeal see here
Donations can be made through CWS:
- Online and by direct deposit to the Gaza Palestine Emergency Appeal
- By Phone with a credit card: 0800 74 73 72
- By Post to: CWS, PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8140