Two years of relentless violence, aid blockages and forced displacement by Israeli authorities have spiraled Gaza into a catastrophic health and hunger crisis. Even as a ceasefire is in effect, the health situation remains precarious.
Children are starving and dying of malnutrition, health facilities have been destroyed and there’s no reliable access to clean water. People in Gaza are living in unimaginable conditions amidst this humanitarian catastrophe.
The health care system in Gaza has collapsed due to attacks on health facilities and shortages of electricity, medicine, equipment and specialized personnel. There are no fully functioning hospitals for a population of over 2 million people. Gaza’s health workers continue to serve their communities, but their ability to save lives is hindered due to lack of critical medicines and supplies.
Famine has been confirmed in Gaza, where over 500,000 people are facing starvation and death. Another 1 million people are on the brink of famine, facing very high acute malnutrition and death from starvation, according to an August 22, 2025, report. A significant surge in humanitarian aid entering Gaza will be required to meet the overwhelming need for food, medicine and other relief supplies.
“It is unconscionable that children, families and frontline health workers are dying preventable deaths while millions of dollars’ worth of critical food and medical supplies trickle slowly through limited border crossings. Americares continues to work through every channel to get more lifesaving aid into Gaza.”
– Deputy Senior Vice President of Emergency Programs Provash Budden
For more than 30 years, Americares has supported the health system in Gaza and the West Bank, delivering essential medicines and medical supplies to communities in need. Since the Gaza War began in October 2023, Americares has significantly increased emergency aid deliveries, providing 35 tons of medicine and medical supplies — enough to fill more than 350,000 prescriptions. In addition, Americares has awarded $1 million in emergency funding to address urgent health needs in Gaza.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, Americares continues to play a critical role in health response efforts, funding lifesaving health services and expanding mental health support programs for children and adults. Working closely with trusted partners on the ground, Americares has already helped provide medical care for more than 43,000 patients and supported mental health services for 27,000 people in Gaza.
Americares has 12 tons of medicines and medical supplies ready to deliver to Gaza, including anesthesia medicines, cancer treatments, orthopedic supplies and prenatal vitamins, as soon as Israel lifts restrictions on shipments. Americares is also prepared to rapidly mobilize additional shipments of medical aid, including antibiotics, pain relievers and other critical medicines and supplies.
Americares remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting health services for people in Gaza suffering from famine, malnutrition and forced displacement after two years of war.
Americares staff prepare a shipment for Gaza at Americares Global Distribution Center in Stamford, Connecticut, on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo/Tara O’Neill).
“People need support… moral, psychological, financial support. It’s all necessary”
With support from Americares and a local partner, Dawud* received the medical care he needed in Egypt; his leg was badly broken by a missile strike in Gaza. July 23, 2024. (Photo/Jeff Kennel)
When 4-year-old Dawud*’s leg was badly broken by a missile strike in Gaza, he received emergency surgery. But for a full recovery, the little boy needed medical care not available in Gaza, where many hospitals have been damaged or destroyed. With the help of an Americares-funded local partner, Dawud, his mother Reem and other family members were evacuated to Egypt. There, Dawud received the medical treatment he needed, along with physical therapy and mental health support. “People need support after this war – moral, psychological, financial support. It’s all necessary,” says Reem. Americares funded this program through December 2024.
*name changed for privacy
An Americares shipment of 6 tons of desperately needed surgical supplies, bandages, antibiotics, oral rehydration salts and labor and delivery supplies arrives in Gaza in November 2023. Credit to Anera
Responding to Urgent Needs
In the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks, Americares also responded to urgent needs in Israel. The organization partnered with United Hatzalah to provide medical equipment for volunteer EMTs, paramedics, and physicians assisting those injured or displaced. Through HIAS, Americares supported a mental health hotline and the distribution of essential supplies, including baby care items and household goods. Americares also funded IsraAID, an emergency response and humanitarian NGO, to provide mental health support and child-friendly spaces for populations displaced within Israel.
