# DEC launches Gaza Crisis Appeal

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/22/dec-launches-gaza-crisis-appeal/
- Published: 2009-01-22T19:13:46+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), representing leading UK aid agencies, has
launched a public appeal to help ease the plight of people affected by the conflict
in Gaza.

Over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, and many thousands have
been injured, overwhelming local hospitals. The destruction has left people without
homes and many children without schooling; according to the DEC, power, food and
water supplies are not sufficient to cover the population’s needs.

Mr Gormley said: “DEC agencies have a humanitarian mandate. We are not proposing
to attempt to rebuild Gaza – that is not our role. But with the public’s support
we can help relieve short-term needs. Agencies are already providing food, drugs
and blankets as well as delivering clean water”.

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He added that [DEC aid agencies were non-political](http://www.dec.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?ap=1&id=320).
All are registered UK charities. He said: “We work on the basis of humanitarian 
need and there is an urgent need in Gaza today. Political solutions are for others
to resolve, but what is of major concern to us all is that many innocent people 
have been affected by the situation – and it is them that we seek to help.”

The DEC consists of Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK,
Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, 
Save the Children, Tearfund, and World Vision.

www.dec.org.uk