Donate to the Gaza and Israel Emergency Appeal

In the period following the beginning of hostilities in early October 2023, Oxfam has supported local partner efforts to distribute cash, food, and hygiene items to people in Gaza. In early 2024, Oxfam began working with our partners to provide clean, desalinated water from wells in southern Gaza with solar-powered pumps, trucking water to areas hosting displaced people, and installing latrines.

By working closely with our partners in Gaza, Oxfam has helped reach 490,118 people with humanitarian assistance.

Aid for families in Gaza

Cash: In October 2023, Oxfam distributed cash to 189 families (approximately 1,134 individuals) in Gaza. With support from Oxfam, the Cultural & Free Thought Association (CFTA) provided cash to an additional 228 families. Cash assistance continues in 2024: In March, Oxfam provided an additional 1,026 households (more than 6,000 people) with cash.

Food: Oxfam procured 1,000 food kits that contained staple items such as bulgur wheat, dates, powdered milk, tea, cheese, and sugar. These were distributed to displaced families in southern Gaza by Palestinian Environmental Friends (PEF), Al Bayader, and CFTA in November 2023. In December, the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee, began distributing 4,750 vegetable parcels to internally displaced families in southern Gaza. The contents of these parcels were sourced from the local market to support the community and local economy. In early 2024, Ma'an Development Centre and the Economic and Development Centre of Palestine distributed ready-to-eat food to 4,000 households in southern and middle areas of Gaza.

Hygiene items: To help people keep clean and avoid water-borne diseases, Oxfam, PEF, and others are procuring and distributing hygiene kits to displaced people seeking shelter in southern Gaza. PEF distributed 1,000 kits that included soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, laundry and dish detergent, shaving cream and razors, and menstrual pads. In the next phase of our response, we will provide equipment for treating and safely storing water, commodes, water containers, and water testing kits. Thousands of additional hygiene kits are arriving by truck in early 2024.

Water: Oxfam and PEF are installing wells and water treatment units to make the salty ground water in Gaza drinkable for families. They will also install water storage bladders and transport water by truck along with other water storage containers.

The plans include building and installing 200 toilets, 128 handwashing stations, and 67 showers, complete with lighting and door-locking systems and grab rails to provide security and support for persons with additional needs. They have also rehabilitated four wastewater networks in Rafah and Khan Yunis, reaching 58,000 people.

In early 2024 Oxfam and PEF are reporting they have installed five desalination units at wells in southern Gaza now supplying water to 13,000 people. Three additional desalination units are expected as soon as the shipment is approved. Water trucks are now serving more than 7,500 people in five locations. They have installed 18 latrine blocks and more than 20 additional blocks are under construction. Oxfam and PEF have distributed 3,148 hygiene kits, 9,200 jerry cans, and 1,200 buckets to people living near the five desalination units.

The water and sanitation initiative intends to reach 25,600 people and will cost $2 million.

Advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza

In the United States, Oxfam is working with allied organizations to urge the U.S. government to support an immediate permanent ceasefire as essential to preventing further civilian loss of life, the immediate return of all hostages, and delivery of humanitarian aid. Nearly 1 million people in the United States signed a petition delivered to the White House in late November 2023 that urged President Biden to help end the fighting.

“We need a permanent ceasefire in order to enable humanitarian organizations to deliver much-needed aid safely and securely,” said Scott Paul, Oxfam’s associate director of peace and security. He called for “an end of the siege of Gaza, full humanitarian access, and the safe return of all the hostages to Israel.”

Ceasefire now: Sign the petition

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• Join Oxfam in urging the Biden administration to stop arms transfers to Israel, prioritize a permanent ceasefire, secure the release of all remaining hostages, and allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to reach the civilians who need it right now.
• Learn more: For updates on the situation, visit the UN OCHA website.
• Donate to our Gaza and Israel Emergency Appeal.

Oxfam's position on the conflict

We condemn all attacks, violence, and targeting of Palestinian and Israeli civilians. Attacks that deliberately target civilians are never justifiable. Parties to the conflict must respect international law and return all hostages. We have witnessed the deadliest day for civilians in the history of modern Israel and the deadliest year in the West Bank since UN records began. The protection of all civilians is paramount.

We call for an immediate ceasefire. Civilians are experiencing unimaginable suffering. Israel is entitled to defend its people against armed attacks. It also has a duty to ensure the safety of people under occupation in Gaza. The cycle of violence must end in order to bring real security for Palestinians and Israelis.

Humanitarian aid and commercial goods must be allowed to flow, in safety, to those people most in need. All humanitarian operations are effectively frozen during hostilities. Ordinary civilians are bearing brunt of the violence and are cut off from vital humanitarian aid, basic commodities, and public services.