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Gaza: what you can do to help

How you can donate responsibly to help the people of Gaza.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Published: 22 October 2023
• Last updated: 27 January 2024 — See all updates

Make your donation safely

Donating through established and well-coordinated emergency response appeal mechanisms is the most effective way to support people during a humanitarian crisis. You can do this through the British Red Cross.

If you wish to help Gazans at this time, the UK government recommends that you donate to this organisation, or through other trusted aid organisations.

If you wish to donate to other charities, you should make a few checks before giving:

• search the charity register to check the charity’s name and registration number. Most charities with an income of £5,000 or more must be registered, which means they are regulated by The Charity Commission
• make sure the charity is genuine before giving them any financial information
• if in doubt, ask the charity or organisation for more information

Donating essential supplies

One of the best ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods.

We cannot provide advice to you or your organisation on shipments (for example, transport, logistics, tax, customs).

Donating as a UK company

If your UK company wishes to donate, we recommend that you should also donate through established emergency response appeal mechanisms or other trusted aid organisations.

If your private sector organisation wish to explore donating goods in-kind, we encourage you to:

• explore opportunities through any existing partnerships with the UN, the British Red Cross or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that they already have in place, or
• contact established charities registered with the:
  • Charity Commission for England and Wales
  • Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator
  • Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
  • Fundraising Regulator

Operational guidance for organisations providing aid

We have published guidance for organisations operating in high-risk jurisdictions. This aims to support them to provide vital and legitimate humanitarian aid, while complying with counter-terrorism legislation and/or sanctions.

Find out more about the UK government’s response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Published 22 October 2023
Last updated 27 January 2024 + show all updates

1. 27 January 2024

   Edit to 'Make your donation safely' section.

2. 22 October 2023

   First published.