In the wake of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Gaza and the occupied West Bank face unprecedented devastation. A ceasefire, negotiated between the parties, took effect on 19 January 2025. Despite the cessation of active hostilities, the region remains scarred by the conflict, with shattered homes and critical infrastructure left in ruins.

Countless families have been displaced, and those who remain struggle amid severe shortages of essential services. Access to food, clean water, healthcare, and sanitation is critically impaired, leaving vulnerable populations—including children and the elderly—at significant risk. The challenges are immense, with health crises looming and the need for urgent, sustained reconstruction efforts more pressing than ever.

We now face the daunting task of not only providing immediate relief but also restoring community infrastructure and dignity for those affected. This effort demands a coordinated response that addresses both emergency needs and long-term rebuilding initiatives.

We appeal to your compassion and solidarity. Your generous donations will directly support emergency relief efforts at the epicentre of the crisis and contribute to the comprehensive rebuilding of homes, healthcare facilities, and sanitation systems. Together, we can help restore hope and rebuild lives in these deeply affected communities.

_{Photo Credits: Francesca Frezza}

CHARIS is appealing for SGD 100,000 in support of the Caritas Jerusalem and to provide

Emergency Healthcare Services

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Multipurpose Cash Assistance

Rehabilitation and Capacity Building of Caritas Medical Centres in Gaza and the West Bank

Prosthetics Support for Polio Centre in Gaza

Capacity Building for Local Staff

Other kinds of humanitarian aid and relief necessary.

** All donations will be used for the objectives stated. In the event that donations exceed the disbursements for this specific humanitarian/disaster response, any surplus or unspent money can be used for other overseas humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts of the Archdiocese of Singapore in accordance with the laws and regulations of Singapore.

Based in the Holy Land, Caritas Jerusalem is a humanitarian and development organization that represents the socio-pastoral service of the Catholic Church in Jerusalem. It was founded in 1967 in the aftermath of the Six-Day War, to respond to the overwhelming needs of Palestinian refugees.

The number of its beneficiaries, from all religious denominations, is approximately 30 000 in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Since its inception, Caritas Jerusalem has been active with responding to humanitarian emergencies caused by the ongoing conflicts in the Holy Land.

Caritas Jerusalem operates in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem through five main departments.

• The Social Services Department provides assistance through four types of actions: family emergency support, job creation, academic and medical assistance.
• The Health Department operates 3 Health Centers in Aboud, Taybeh and Gaza and the Gaza mobile clinic serving 6 isolated areas.
• The Livelihood and Food Security Department targets projects in agriculture, infrastructure and development with the purpose of creating jobs and income generating activities.
• The Micro-Credit Department is the backbone of its development projects. It includes income generating loans, for housing, for education and emergency credits.
• The Youth Department established in 2005 aims to promote long term development of civil society in Palestine, through exchange projects, Caritas friends in schools, graduation projects, advocacy and media projects and a volunteering program.

Caritas Jerusalem also founded in 1990 a Day Care Center in Ramallah that takes care of 65 isolated and underprivileged elderly persons. The centre monitors closely the health of its members and renders regular medical check-ups to screen for eyesight, diabetes and blood pressure level. We also provide them with hot meals three times a week. In year 1999, the Old City Counselling Center (OCCC) was established with the aim of helping the increasingly impoverished population of East Jerusalem and focusing more specifically on drug abuse issues.

Caritas Jerusalem headquarters is located in Jerusalem and it employs approximately 72 people. In addition, in 2005 Caritas Jerusalem initiated a volunteer programme to empower young people and facilitate activities. Caritas Jerusalem is present in 10 parishes around Ramallah and Bethlehem and is present in schools in Ramallah, Taybeh and Birzeit.

As a member of the world-wide network Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Jerusalem works with other Caritas organisations to support the humanitarian relief at home and around the world, such as Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

Read more: https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/middle-east-and-north-africa/jerusalem/