Right now, millions of people across the Middle East are in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care. Conflict across the region is devastating lives, and millions have fled their homes in search of safety.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched a national appeal to support the millions of people in need, triggering our Schroders Global Emergency Relief procedure. We have made a corporate donation of £100,000 to the DEC, which supports charities that are delivering life-saving aid.

‘DEC charities are on the ground saving lives right now, and they are ready to act wherever the needs are greatest. For more information on how and where DEC member charities are responding, please visit dec.org.uk’

Please note, all employee matched funding will go to the DEC Middle East Humanitarian appeal.

Some of the ways DEC member charities have already been supporting people include:

- Core relief items: Distribution of items such as mattresses, blankets, and baby kits.

- Shelter: Distribution of emergency and transitional shelter materials, tents and household items.

- Food: Provision of fresh ingredients (vegetables and fruits), food kits, and providing hot meals to displaced individuals.

- Water, sanitation and hygiene: Provision of hygiene supplies such as hygiene kits.

- Education: Distribution of education kits and enrolment of children in online learning.

How do we know the donations are getting to where they need to be?

DEC member charities, with their local partners, have a strong presence in the Middle East, providing crucial humanitarian aid in challenging environments. By leveraging local knowledge and coordinating with UN agencies, they have successfully delivered life-saving assistance despite significant fuel shortages impacting logistics and healthcare services. To address these challenges, they are adapting by using all available routes, establishing decentralised warehouses, and focusing on low-fuel activities like psychosocial support and cash distributions. Additionally, to mitigate the risk of aid diversion, DEC members have implemented enhanced due diligence screening of local partners, strengthening their already robust policies.