How To Help Victims of the Israel-Hamas War

Feeling helpless? You’re not alone. As fighting intensifies between Israel and Hamas, so does the number of those killed, injured, and displaced. If you’re interested in supporting humanitarian efforts on the ground, here are a few orgs to consider donating to...

• Doctors Without Borders: The self-described “independent and impartial humanitarian organization” offers emergency medical assistance and supplies to places affected by conflict, epidemics, and other disasters. That includes Gaza, where it’s provided medical care at hospitals and outpatient clinics for 20 years. It’s also offered its support to overwhelmed hospitals in Israel.

• IsraAID: The largest humanitarian aid organization in Israel, IsraAID has responded to major crises in more than 50 countries. Now, for the first time, the org is providing “a full-scale humanitarian response” in its own country — which includes coordinating activities in shelters, operating kid-friendly spaces for children to play, and training local teams on emergency mental health support.

• The Global Red Cross Network: The three-pronged network — which includes the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies — responds to armed conflicts, disasters, and other emergency situations in an effort to help people “when and where it is needed most.” In the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, groups within the network have helped with medical care, ambulance services, and other critical needs. 

• Save the Children: For more than 100 years, Save the Children has prioritized the health, safety, and wellbeing of kids during times of crisis. In addition to dispersing $1 million from its emergency fund to help its teams respond to the needs of kids in Israel and Gaza, it also announced that additional donations to the fund will go toward warm blankets, nutritious food, and other care.

• UNICEF: The humanitarian group is on the ground in over 190 countries and territories, providing kids with lifesaving supplies and assistance — and to protect their rights. The org’s executive director says she’s “deeply concerned for the wellbeing” of children in Israel and Gaza, and with the help of its partners, UNICEF is delivering medical supplies, fuel, and mental health support to the Gaza Strip.

• World Central Kitchen (WCK): Founded in 2010 by chef José Andrés, the “non-governmental, non-political organization” has provided over 300 million meals to people impacted by natural disasters and other crises. In Israel, WCK is teaming up with local restaurants to serve meals to those displaced from their homes. Meanwhile, in Gaza, WCK is working with a local nonprofit to prepare and distribute food kits to families.

• World Food Programme (WFP): Each year, the WFP — which is part of the UN — distributes food assistance to 80 million people in around 80 countries. Since the war began, the WFP has provided fresh bread and canned food to around 100,000 people in shelters.