Humanitarian Aid in the Middle East
In the Middle East some of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent history have unfolded, mainly through armed conflicts. The German Red Cross supports a wide variety of projects in the individual countries and regions of the Middle East.
Great need for humanitarian action
The need for humanitarian aid in the Middle East is great. This is due to ongoing crises, but also to the effects of climate change and extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. Those effects are devastating the livelihoods of the people living there.
In addition to humanitarian aid in Yemen, our assistance in the Middle East continues to focus on the consequences of the Syrian crisis. We are also work in other countries with supporting projects in the areas of health, disaster risk reduction and improving livelihoods.
GRC commitment in the respective countries
Israel and the Palestinian Territories
Humanitarian aid in conflict areaBesides continuously appealing to comply with the International Humanitarian Law the GRC provides humanitarian aid for the suffering population.
So far, we have sent several aid transports with vital supplies to the Gaza Strip. We also support an ICRC field hospital in Rafah and enable the delivery of much needed drinking water in Gaza. In order to respond aptly to the current situation we are working closely with the Palestinian Red Crescent and our partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Yemen
One of the world's largest humanitarian crisesAs a result of years of armed conflict, the people in Yemen are suffering from one of the world's largest humanitarian crises: there is a lack of food, clean water, healthcare, and educational opportunities. The German Red Cross supports the Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) to provide humanitarian emergency aid. Since 2008, there has been a DRK office with delegates and local staff in Sanaa.
We promote the operation of health facilities by financing personnel and equipment. Additionally, we participate in the rehabilitation of water systems. To enable children to learn in a healthy and safe environment, we support the YRCS renovating and equipping schools, conducting first aid training and implementing health protection activities. The training aims to empower students and teachers to face future challenges.
Educational opportunities for children in Yemen
Barat Azizov heads the GRC office in Yemen. As a teacher, the educational opportunities of children in the conflict-ridden country are particularly close to his heart. He gives an insight into the work of the GRC, together with the Yemen Red Crescent Society, in reorganising and equipping schools.
Lebanon
A country affected by multiple crisesLebanon has a long history of armed conflicts and is significantly affected by ongoing conflicts in its neighbouring countries. Additionally, the country is at risk of numerous natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, and cold waves.
The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) and its volunteers provide life-saving assistance and maintain ongoing social services for the population. Working closely with the LRC the German Red Cross has been active in Lebanon for more than a decade. The long-standing partnership focuses on the following areas:
- Disaster Preparedness
- Emergency Medical Services: Supporting the provision of rescue services and medical emergency aid – the GRC aids to ensure that the LRC can provide around 80 percent of the emergency medical services in the country
- Mobile Healthcare: Deploying mobile health units to support hospitals and other healthcare facilities
- Blood Banks: Operating and modernizing the blood bank system in Lebanon
The GRC intensified its support in 2024. This flexible and needs-based assistance enables the LRC to provide help solely according to the level of need and to protect the most vulnerable people as effectively as possible.
Syria
Humanitarian AidThirteen years of armed conflict have caused immeasurable harm for the people in Syria and those who have fled the country. A severe earthquake in 2023 intensified the situation. The suffering people in Syria continue to have significant and urgent humanitarian needs.
The German Red Cross is closely monitoring current developments and the humanitarian situation in Syria. We have been working closely with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) for many years, including GRC staff on the ground. The GRC is firmly committed to continuing to provide humanitarian aid and, given the dynamic situation, to expanding it further if necessary.
The SARC is doing life-saving work across the country by providing food, water and basic relief supplies, providing emergency medical care and supporting hospitals with medical supplies. In Germany, the GRC Tracing Service has been helping relatives search for missing family members in Syria since 2011.
