Caritas - still helping the people of Gaza and the West Bank
26 January 2026
In the midst of harsh winter conditions, more than 5.5 million people in the Gaza strip go cold and hungry, as efforts to increase humanitarian aid remain restricted. While the ceasefire has taken the crisis off our TV screens, there continues to be massive humanitarian need, and reports of airstrikes, shelling and gunfire continue across the Gaza Strip.
More than 80% of buildings have been destroyed or damaged, and repeatedly displaced families still struggle to get food, shelter, warmth and health care. Violence, deaths and displacement continue in the West Bank, causing significant humanitarian need amongst Palestinian communities.
Humanitarian assistance plays a critical role in meeting urgent needs. The Caritas family through our sister agencies Caritas Jerusalem and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) continue to provide food, non-food and health care assistance in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Confusion has been caused amongst Caritas supporters by media reports of plans by the Government of Israel to deregister more than 30 NGOs, including Caritas Jerusalem, in January 2026. However, fortunately, Caritas Jerusalem continues to operate – as it works under agreements between the Holy See and the Government of Israel, and not NGO law. Caritas continues to seek a resolution to this issue.
With support from the Scottish public, SCIAF continues to support the work of Caritas Jerusalem and CRS in providing primary health care, food and non-food items to people in need, regardless of their faith or nationality. Together both organisations have assisted over 1.7 million people. [1] In 2026 Caritas Jerusalem aims to assist over 220,000 people in need [2]; CRS many more.
Please continue to pray for the people of Gaza and the West Bank, to raise your voices in solidarity with them, and give what you can to support the critical work of the Caritas Family. They still need our support.
1. CRS and CJ reports for mid 2025 and end 2024 respectively
2. CVJ EA21/2025
Help through the Caritas Network
While the ceasefire has taken the crisis off our TV screens, there continues to be massive humanitarian need.
SCIAF were amongst the first to start distributing much needed aid, after the official announcement of the end of the war in Gaza.
After two years of brutal bloodshed and suffering, people across the Holy Land are today jubilant at the prospect of peace.
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