Islamic Relief will host a live television pledge in aid of Gaza on Wednesday night. The humanitarian agency has issued a public appeal for assistance in providing relief to thousands of Palestinians, who have been affected by Israeli military air raids since July 7^th. The death toll in Gaza now stands at 205, with 1500 civilians injured. The attacks have also damaged hospitals, schools, sewage facilities, shops and healthcare facilities, leaving fear-stricken Palestinians without food, water or medical supplies.

Islamic Relief is an international aid and development charity which aims to relieve the suffering of those in need. IR has been working in the Palestinian territories since 1994 and is well aware of the crisis that Palestinians are currently facing. The charity organization’s Palestine team has been supplying the main hospitals in Gaza with many medical essentials and plans to provide food and emergency-items to the injured and displaced families.

An Intensive Care Unit and a paediatric ward had to be evacuated, a clinic in Rafah was forced to close, and there is an urgent need for psycho-social support, particularly for affected children. 28 per cent of the essential drug items and 54 per cent of disposables are currently out of stock. R34 million monthly is needed to secure much needed drugs and disposables.

Damage to water and sanitation facilities including tap water, wastewater and storm water lines-raw sewage continues to be discharged as a result of damage to the Sewage Pumping Station at Al Muntada; 17 public schools and 15 UNRWA schools have been affected by shelling. Hundreds of families are in need of food assistance.

IR Global member Habib Malik encouraged everyone to extend a helping hand to the Palestinian people.

“In Ramadan, we often get invited to iftaars and so on. Why not gather your family and friends to help donate. Even if each one gives five or ten rand, it can still add up to about R200 to R400, which might not seem like a lot of money, but it can sponsor an orphan,” he told VOC In the Fast Lane.

“I encourage people to assist. Even in your own capacity. You don’t have to organize a major event. People can do so much through social media, schools and mosques to contribute to charity initiatives such as food packages. A food package might cost R500 but can feed about five to six people.”

Malik will be presenting the Islamic Relief Palestine Pledge on ITV (DSTV channel 347) at 10pm on Wednesday. It focuses on encouraging people to donate food and medical supplies to Palestine, who are in urgent need of it.

*   R6 500 will feed 12 families for a month

*   R27 000 is needed for medical equipment

*   R135 000 will restock a hospital for a month

Any donation of any amount, no matter how small, will surely make a difference.

For more information about donations and contributions, contact Islamic Relief SA on 0800 111 898. VOC (Thaaqib Daniels)