In early June, Gaza witnessed intensive factional infighting between Hamas and Fatah. More than 100 people were killed and hundreds more were injured. Extensive damage was done to an already weak infrastructure.
John Ging, the Gaza director of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said that the fighting left Gazans “shell-shocked” and in need of assistance. “We have a people who are bewildered and shell-shocked from their circumstances from the violence,” he said. “They are miserable [circumstances] and they are leading to the chaos and violence.”
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working with our long-time partner the Middle East Council of Churches as a member of Action by Churches Together (ACT). $50,000 in Rapid Response funds has been provided for immediate response while an appeal is being prepared. PDA will be support the appeal.
The Department for Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) of the Middle East Council of Churches has long been active in Gaza, managing health clinics and vocational training centers and providing social services to over 10,000 vulnerable families.
ACT member International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has also been working in Gaza, supplying food and medicines to families and providing school feeding and land rehabilitation.
PDA One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds will be used to help 950 families buy basic provisions, children’s nutrition and other needed family supplies.
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