Worsening conflict across the Middle East has triggered a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. People in Palestine and Lebanon need immediate, lifesaving support.

Elderly people, pregnant women, infants and young children are the most vulnerable and urgently need protection from violence as well as shelter, clean water, food, sanitation facilities and health care.

In Gaza, more than 80 percent of homes have been destroyed or damaged. Families are living in makeshift shelters, and many have nowhere to go. Stormy weather has flooded tents, making living conditions miserable. Famine was confirmed in Gaza City and surrounding areas for the first time late last year. Nearly half of all pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza are severely malnourished due to food shortages, and virtually 100 percent of children require mental health and psychosocial support.

In the West Bank, civilians are facing increased violence, forced displacement, home demolitions and severe restrictions on movement and their ability to access food, water, work and health care.

In Lebanon, an estimated 1 million people, nearly one in every five, have been displaced by the conflict. Families have been forced to find shelter in overcrowded public buildings such as schools, or in cars and tents on the street. People have little, if any, access to safe water or sanitation facilities. Children account for about 20 percent of overall fatalities in the Lebanon conflict since early March, while women make up roughly 21 percent.

Global humanitarian funding cuts mean people are not getting the lifesaving help they need. The situation is dire.