When disaster and conflict strike, the CWS Emergency Response Fund supports vulnerable communities in their time of greatest need.
LATEST SITUATION: On October 7, Hamas launched horrific attacks that resulted in the murder of hundreds of Israeli civilians. Counter attacks by the State of Israel killed thousands more Palestinian civilians in Gaza, further threatening extremely vulnerable communities.
The 2.2 million residents of Gaza are not able to leave, and the State of Israel has cut off water, electricity, fuel, medical supplies and food and continues to launch major military attacks in areas populated by civilians. Since October 21, a small amount of humanitarian aid has been allowed to enter Gaza (according to the United Nations, as of October 25, 62 truckloads had entered Gaza, compared to a daily average of 500 truckloads prior to the hostilities).
As of October 25, the number of people killed in Gaza has exceeded 6,547 and more than 17,439 people have been injured.
CWS is partnering with ACT Alliance and other partners to provide immediate, life-saving emergency support and to restore access to basic services for the people affected by the conflict in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, and there is a profound need for humanitarian supplies, medicine, fuel and clean water. Learn more about our response here.
CWS’ statements responding to the conflict are available here.
About the CWS Emergency Response Fund
In the days immediately following a catastrophic disaster, CWS provides cleanup buckets, kits and vital supplies to help impacted people begin to clear up what was left behind. In the U.S. and around the world CWS works with trusted local community-based organizations to reach the most vulnerable communities, including immigrants and refugees, to provide the support these families need.
The road to recovery is often long and challenging. That’s why after attention fades, CWS works to ensure that affected communities continue to receive the help they need by providing support to community long-term recovery groups. By standing with CWS, you can remind our neighbors that from response to recovery to long-term recovery, they are never alone.