Co-operatives urged to back DEC’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal

In Gaza, people are dying of hunger and disease, as well as injuries caused by the conflict. More than 42,000 people have been killed, with food and water desperately scare and 90 per cent of the population displaced. 

In Lebanon, more than a million people have been forced leave their homes in recent weeks. Shelters are overwhelmed and hospitals are struggling to treat the thousands of injured people.

The Disasters Emergency Committee* (DEC) has launched an appeal to support those affected. DEC member charities are responding right now in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank, providing lifesaving food, water, shelter, medicine and so much more. 

The DEC are experts in humanitarian response. They have the infrastructure, experience and personnel on the ground to make sure that vital support reaches those most in need.  However, the. Middle East Humanitarian Appeal urgently requires more funding to meet the huge levels of need. Find out more here about how the DEC will respond across the region.

We are now calling for co-operatives from across the movement to back the appeal.

Ways to support the appeal

• Text COOP to 70676 to donate £10**
• Make an online donation
• If your co-operative wishes to promote the appeal to members, colleagues and/or customers, email [email protected] for campaign materials 
• Share our messages on X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Every pound donated will be matched by the UK government through its Aid Match scheme - up to the value of £10 million. This support will double the impact of donations and ensure charities working on the ground are more able to reach those in urgent need. 

* The DEC is a registered charity no. 1062638.  
** Texts cost £10 plus the standard network rate. Your text will result in a £10 donation to the DEC Appeal. Visit dec.org.uk for full T&Cs.

Why back the DEC Appeal?

The mechanism for donating is extended to the UK co-operative movement through Co-op Group's partnership with the DEC and co-ordinated by Co-operatives UK's member group, the International Co-operative Working Group.

Despite extraordinary challenges and risks, DEC member charities have demonstrated their ability to deliver lifesaving and life-sustaining aid in Gaza, reaching a level that now warrants a national appeal. 

With the conflict escalating in Lebanon, causing massive displacement in an already fragile country, a DEC appeal is now more urgent than ever. This appeal is crucial to secure the necessary funds to support conflict-affected communities in Gaza, Lebanon, and the surrounding region where families have been displaced.

The UK co-operative movement is encouraged to promote the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to colleagues, members and customers.