Donate to the Middle East Appeal

Oxfam and our partners continue to assess the situation and provide clean water, hygiene kits and bedding to displaced families.

Please donate now to support the people forced to flee the violence.

The latest situation in Lebanon

• Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured as Israeli airstrikes have escalated in recent days.
• Families are evacuating with little warning. Many are now sleeping in their cars, outside or sheltering in overcrowded collective centres, unsure if or when they will be able to return home.
• Over one million people are now displaced across the country. Many are staying with host families or sheltering in public spaces after fleeing the violence. It has put additional strain on an already overburdened humanitarian response system in Lebanon.
• Hundreds of thousands of people are currently staying in collective shelters, many of which are overcrowded and struggling to meet basic needs.

Lebanon has faced crisis after crisis in recent years: a refugee crisis from the war in Syria, COVID-19, the Beirut Blast in 2020, a cholera outbreak in 2022, violent conflicts and an ongoing economic crisis which has resulted in skyrocketing poverty and the collapse of essential public services.

The ongoing situation in Gaza

Unlawful attacks by the United States and Israel, and Iran's retaliation, has plunged the Middle East into another brutal escalation of violence leading to immediate impacts in the occupied Palestinian territory where communities already living through profound hardship are experiencing renewed strain.

Despite a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, Palestinians have been paying the price. Severe disruptions to the humanitarian services mean they continue to struggle accessing food, clean water, medicine or safe shelter.

Border crossing closures have restricted humanitarian movements and medical evacuations have been suspended.

Israeli authorities have ordered many humanitarian organisations, including Oxfam, to exit Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, halting vital aid and deepening an already devastating humanitarian crisis.

Despite these restrictions, we continue to deliver life-saving assistance through our partners.

The impact on the West Bank

Widespread checkpoint closures are preventing movement between cities and governorates, cutting people off from livelihoods, fragmenting communities, and limiting access to basic services and humanitarian support.

Displaced Palestinians face the risk of falling debris, with communities often lacking proper shelters.

Partners located in the target location can move within their immediate locality to reach people and are planning, when the situation allows, to distribute food parcels and animal fodder. In other areas Oxfam and partners are refining implementation plans and preparing for rapid re‑engagement once access improves.

Our colleagues and partners are working relentlessly in their communities, often risking their lives to reach those most affected and provide essential support. As more people are displaced by the Israeli airstrikes, we are getting ready to scale up our response.

Our response in Lebanon

Oxfam and our partners are closely assessing the situation. Following evacuation orders from the Israeli army and heavy Israeli airstrikes, hundreds of thousands of people in Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes.

Many people are now sheltering in temporary spaces in Tripoli, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and North Lebanon.

We are supporting them with clean water, hygiene kits, menstrual products, and bedding so they can meet their most basic needs.

One hygiene kit costs $23 and includes:

• shampoo, soap and sponge
• toothbrushes and toothpastes for adults and for children
• toilet paper, sanitary pads and tissue paper
• laundry powder and dishwashing liquid
• floor mop, detergent and garbage bags.

Supporting displaced communities in Syria

More than 13 million people continue to find themselves in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

As a result of the recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon thousands of displaced Syrian people are returning despite the situation in the country remaining fragile.

Oxfam is on the ground in Syria providing clean water, cash and hygiene essentials to those who have fled their homes. We need support from people like you to continue our life-saving work.

The violent escalation in the region has entered a dramatically new and dangerous phase, after the unlawful attack on Iran by Israel and the United States, and the Iranian response.

Its consequences are affecting people across the region, including families and most acutely by women and children. Communities forced to flee are already impacted by ongoing conflicts and will likely face the harshest impacts once again.

The humanitarian need in the Middle East has never been greater. Donating whatever you can will help our colleagues and partners in the region respond within their communities.

For every £1 you donate to this emergency appeal, we will allocate 9p of your donation to cover general support and running costs. There is a small chance that we will raise more money than is needed for this appeal. If this happens, we'll spend any additional funds on other Oxfam projects – wherever the need is greatest.

Your support will help Oxfam respond to the growing humanitarian needs caused by the escalating violence across the Middle East. Oxfam’s immediate response is currently focused on Lebanon; funds raised through this appeal may also be used to support people affected in other countries across the region including Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, and Palestine as needs evolve.

This latest wave of violence shows that International Humanitarian Law has become negotiable.

As the region stands at a perilous moment, Oxfam urgently calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately end the violence. The extent of the impact of this crisis will not be contained only to the region.

International leaders and the global community must mobilise every effort to prevent the destruction of lives and livelihoods of millions across the region and beyond.