UN Launches $1.2 Bn Emergency Aid Appeal For Gaza And West Bank

The United Nations (UN) has initiated an emergency aid appeal seeking USD 1.2 billion in a response to the growing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The appeal, launched on Friday, is intended to provide critical assistance to approximately 2.7 million people residing in these conflict-ridden regions.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released this urgent appeal, highlighting the dire need for immediate assistance. The requested funding is aimed at supporting the entire population of Gaza, along with an additional 5,00,000 individuals in the occupied West Bank. These funds are essential to address a range of pressing needs, including food, medical care, shelter and other vital services.

This development comes in the wake of an earlier appeal by OCHA, which had sought USD 294 million in aid just a few weeks ago on 12 October. The rapid escalation of the humanitarian crisis in the region has necessitated a substantial increase in the requested funding.

The situation in Gaza and the West Bank remains highly complex, marked by political instability and ongoing conflict. As a result, the humanitarian needs of the local population have grown significantly, prompting the UN to issue this critical appeal for financial support.