Global Food Crisis—CRS has identified 25 priority countries that are affected by high levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition due to combinations of these drivers, which are expected to continue through 2024. Areas of urgent concern include East Africa and the Sahel, as well as Central America, Southern Africa and, more recently, Gaza.
Global Emergency Update January 2024
Global Emergency Update Emergency Response in the Holy Land
Destruction outside church grounds in Gaza.
Photo courtesy of Caritas Jerusalem
CONTEXT
A humanitarian crisis across the Holy Land continues to escalate since the October 7 attack on Israel and subsequent air strikes that have since devastated Gaza. Since the start of the conflict, 25,490 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed—70% of whom are women and children. The people of Gaza continue to experience deprivation and deadly violence, with no way to protect themselves or provide for their families. As access to food, shelter and water has deteriorated, hunger has become of heightened concern. According to recent estimates, 25% of the population in Gaza is at imminent risk of famine if the situation does not dramatically improve in the next three months.
An estimated 1.7 million people—75% of the population in Gaza—are displaced, with many living on the street without protection from the elements. These conditions are especially dangerous for children and pregnant women, people living with disabilities, and those suffering from illness or recovering from injury. Infections and waterborne illnesses are spreading rapidly, especially among children under age 5. Current humanitarian aid efforts are unable to meet the scale of need.
Conflict has expanded into the West Bank and, more recently, to Lebanon, where 82,012 people have been displaced. Beyond people’s physical needs is the emotional toll across the region—immense suffering, despair, grief and trauma. Catholic Relief Services staff members in Gaza are working every day to assist the most vulnerable.
CRS has been serving families in the Holy Land since 1961.
CRS and our partners have sent more than 30 trucks of supplies from Egypt, and plan to send much more aid as access into Gaza allows.
Photo by Sayed Hassan for CRS
CRS AND PARTNER RESPONSE
CRS is working closely with partners in Gaza and across the region to meet urgent needs. CRS and our local partners are coordinating with the United Nations, civil society organizations and humanitarian responders to provide the following:
Cash Assistance
CRS has provided cash assistance to 21,197 families—127,182 people—since the conflict began.
Food
CRS is working with the World Food Program to deliver lifesaving meals, distributing food parcels to 22,129 families. CRS has also procured ready-to-eat food rations for 2,500 families.
Support for Church Partners
CRS is supporting four churches in Gaza, where 850 people are temporarily sheltered. These sites are receiving cash assistance, food and other items.
Shelter and Hygiene Supplies
CRS and our partners have distributed bedding supplies to 17,976 people, tarps to 4,227 families and tents for 430 families.
Logistics and Operations
CRS established an office in Rafah with an adjacent warehouse. Our vendor distribution network has expanded across two governates. From our logistics hub in Cairo and with our Egypt team, CRS has procured bedding, hygiene and food supplies. We are transporting shipments across the Rafah border as access allows.
Counseling Support
CRS and our partners are prioritizing psychological first aid, caregiver resources and referrals for specialized trauma, grief and other counseling and support.
In Lebanon
Caritas Lebanon, with support from CRS and other Caritas agencies, is responding in the South, Beirut and Mount Lebanon, focusing on protection services, health, and the provision of food and supplies. To date, Caritas Lebanon has distributed cash assistance to 470 displaced families, in addition to delivering 2,985 food kits and 246 hygiene kits.
OUR COMMITMENT
Inspired by our colleagues and Church partners across the Holy Land, CRS remains committed to our spiritual and humanitarian mission, rooted in our values to help those in greatest need in times of war and peace alike.
We pray for our heroic staff in Gaza, many of whom are displaced, mourn the loss of loved ones and fear for their lives. We are indebted to their humanity at a time when their worlds are falling apart. They are supporting the most vulnerable within their community even as they and their families face immense hardships.
At CRS, we believe that all human life is sacred, and we extend our support and solidarity for the safe, dignified lives of our sisters and brothers throughout the Holy Land. We continue to work toward a shared future where people can flourish and live in just and peaceful societies.
Rami, pictured with his wife Maryan, and their daughter Kylie, is a CRS staff member based in Gaza.
Photo by CRS staff
Recent Global Emergency Updates
February 2024
Ukraine War: Two Years of Emergency Relief and Recovery—In February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, causing massive destruction and loss, separating families and uprooting millions of people from their homes. Over the past two years, Catholic Relief Services has worked with Caritas and other partners across Ukraine and the region to provide a range of support to meet people’s urgent needs for food, shelter, living supplies, medical care and counseling.
January 2024
Emergency Response in the Holy Land—Catholic Relief Services and our partners are responding to immediate needs of families facing hunger and displacement in the Holy Land.
