Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central, has welcomed news that the UK Government will match donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to help DEC charities support vulnerable families in the Middle East this winter.
Emily has previously called for aid match to be used to raise funds for the rebuilding of Gaza in the House of Commons.
“The devastation in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster. Now that aid is entering, it is time for the UK public and UK government to work together to bring medical services, food and shelter to the families in Gaza,” Emily said.
“Many people in the UK care about the people in Gaza, and by matching £ for £, we can help more people more quickly, despite the cuts to development aid. This is why I have been calling for this publicly and working with government Ministers privately to have Aid Match DEC appeal.”
In Gaza, where the majority of funds from the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal are being spent, recent heavy rain has caused flooding that has inundated tents and destroyed people’s belongings. A dire shortage of shelter and essential items means children are facing cold nighttime temperatures without warm clothes or blankets.
The DEC’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal has raised more than £55 million since its launch in October 2024, reaching people impacted by conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Syria with lifesaving aid. The UK Government previously matched £10 million of donations when the appeal launched, as part of its UK Aid Match scheme.
This time, the Government will match donations up to £3 million.
Since October’s ceasefire agreement in Gaza, DEC charities and their local partners have been able to scale up their work thanks to generous UK donations to the appeal. Although goods are available again in local markets and malnutrition rates are finally decreasing, the needs in Gaza remain huge.
Over 80% of homes have been damaged or destroyed, and families are spending their third winter in makeshift shelters having been displaced multiple times.
The harsh weather means living conditions are deteriorating rapidly and the risk of diseases is spreading.
Donations can be made at dec.org.uk or by calling 0370 60 60 610.
