Responding to the Crisis in the Middle East

Last Updated August 30, 2006

This compilation of resources is intended to guide grantmakers interested in responding to the humanitarian crisis that has been ongoing since hostilities broke out following military actions and clashes in northern Israel and Lebanon on July 12, 2006. In the meantime, the humanitarian situation of the civilian population in Gaza and the West Bank has dramatically deteriorated since June.*

This page links to regular updates on the unfolding crisis, organizations that have created funds geared toward providing humanitarian assistance, and general information on how best to respond to emergency situations.

This information is provided for educational purposes only. Please consult the Disclaimer for a full explanation of the purposes and limitations of this information.

• NGOs and Foundations
• Government and Multilateral agencies
• General Resources for Disaster Grantmaking

NGOs and Foundations

• InterAction: InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), lists member NGOs that are accepting contributions for assistance they or their affiliates are providing to those affected by the crisis. InterAction members agree to abide by a set of standards to ensure accountability to donors.
• International Human Rights Funders Group: IHRFG lists NGOs that are undertaking human rights work in Israel and Lebanon (free registration required).
• Global Fund for Women: The Global Fund seeks to support women's organizations in the conflict region. Their first grant in response to this crisis was just awarded to the Collective for Research and Training on Development-Action in support of the group's efforts to help displaced families in Lebanon.
• Global Fund for Children: GFC has given an emergency grant to an existing grantee partner in Lebanon, the Association du Foyer de l’Enfant Libanais. To donate funds to GFC click here.
• GlobalGiving: Lists current projects that are providing emergency relief in Lebanon.
• New Israel Fund: NIF is providing special assistance to select grantees and sectors in Israel to respond to the current crisis. At this time, U.S. tax receipts can be issued only for gifts made online.

Government and Multilateral agencies

• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): The U.S. Government's foreign assistance agency makes available detailed situation reports of the emergency including current maps, and specifics of U.S. government and other assistance in the area.  USAID also provides general information on how to help those affected by a disaster overseas.
• United Nations ReliefWeb: A project of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this website serves as a clearing house for information relating to the conflict in the Middle East. This ReliefWeb resource on Lebanon provides updates on who is doing what in the area, lists current appeals and tracks contributions. Also included in this page is a link to the most current situation report and the United Nations Flash Appeal for Lebanon for $150 million. ReliefWeb lists similar information on the crisis in the West Bank and Gaza.
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): UNICEF is asking for $23.8 million as part of a wider UN appeal for emergency aid to Lebanon. This update on Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza provides information on how this disaster affects children and provides updates on UNICEF's disaster relief actions that have been taken to date.
• United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF): CERF is a stand-by fund established by the United Nations to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts.  The United Nations has allocated $5 million from this fund to jump-start its operations in Lebanon.

General Resources for Disaster Grantmaking

• Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations (PDF): A joint product of the Council on Foundations and the European Foundation Centre, this free publication suggests eight principles, listed on the left, plus practical tips for grantmakers to consider when responding to emergency situations. Download the PDF.
• InterAction: Read InterAction's Guide to Appropriate Giving.
• Center for International Disaster Information: Lists Guidelines for Appropriate International Disaster Donations and updates on the crisis.
• Disaster Relief: Providing Assistance Through Charitable Organizations (PDF): Prepared by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Exempt and Government Entities division.  Although this publication does not focus on international grantmaking it extends advice on how to give through existing U.S. charitable organizations, how to set up a new charitable organization and the requirements for documentation.

Footnote

* Please note that the U.S. Secretary of State has designated Hamas and Hezbollah as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). As per U.S. law, it is unlawful for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide "material support or resources" to a designated FTO. Visit the Anti-Terrorism section for more information on the federal government's anti-terrorism compliance requirements.