Humanitarian Response to the Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East

In late February, conflict in the Middle East sharply escalated, triggering a rapidly evolving humanitarian crisis. Families have been displaced from their homes, essential infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, and access to food, clean water, medical care, and safe shelter remains severely limited in many communities. As the situation continues to unfold, humanitarian needs are growing by the day. 

While the Middle East crisis is ongoing, extending across Gaza, Lebanon, and multiple Gulf states, it remains clear that civilians (particularly women, children, older adults, and other vulnerable populations) are facing urgent and life-threatening conditions. Displacement, disrupted supply chains, and limited access for aid organizations are compounding existing humanitarian challenges. 

And this is only one of multiple conflicts occurring right now. The war in Ukraine continues, along with the Sudanese civil war, conflict in Myanmar, and worsening violence in Mexico and Haiti. Luckily, our Charity Alliance is on the ground around the globe supporting children, families, and communities impacted by conflict. 

How Our Charity Partners Are Responding in the Middle East 
Global Impact’s charity partners with longstanding experience in the Middle East region have mobilized rapidly to meet urgent needs across the region. Their presence and local partnerships are critical to delivering lifesaving assistance during this period. You can find a full list of Global Impact’s Charity Alliance members responding to humanitarian needs across the Middle East here. 

We discussed the humanitarian response in the Middle East and in conflict zones across the world in our recent webinar, Conflict in the Headlines: Humanitarian Response in Iran & Beyond. Hear directly from Project HOPE, Save the Children, and World Food Program USA, along with our Managing Director Brittany Craig, about the response on the ground and how charities support communities in crisis each day in the recording.  

Below is a recap of Project HOPE, Save the Children, and World Food Program USA’s response from our recent Conflict in the Headlines webinar.  

Project HOPE 
Project HOPE has been actively responding to the humanitarian emergency in Gaza and is supporting communities in Lebanon by distributing water, hygiene and shelter supplies, procuring essential medicines for health facilities, and deploying mobile medical units to reach displaced families. 

Conflict and displacement are deeply traumatic, especially for children and vulnerable families. Project HOPE incorporates mental health and psychosocial programming into its emergency response, offering support to help cope with stress, loss, and displacement. 

Gaza and Lebanon are focal areas due to extreme humanitarian need, while broader planning continues across the region to identify where Project HOPE can most effectively support people affected by the wider conflict environment.  

Save the Children 
Although the current conflict is a new escalation, Save the Children has a long history of operating in the Middle East and is present in nine countries (designated in red on the map below), either responding or monitoring with preparedness measures activated. 

Save the Children is assisting families impacted by airstrikes in Lebanon and across the region by distributing baby hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses, and essential supplies, while activating emergency preparedness plans in eight affected countries. The organization is also advocating for children’s rights and protection as conflict accelerates. 

The escalation of the conflict has disrupted key delivery routes for humanitarian supplies. Save the Children warns that lifesaving aid for hundreds of thousands of children in other crises (e.g., in Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan) is being delayed or blocked due to transportation and logistics disruptions in the Middle East. 

World Food Program USA 
World Food Program USA proudly supports the mission of the UN World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses, and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger.  

World Food Program USA is activating emergency cash assistance, distributing hot meals, and leveraging prepositioned food stocks in Lebanon, with readiness to scale up support as humanitarian needs grow. 

They are also elevating warnings about the risk of a global surge in hunger if the conflict continues, including possible dramatic increases in food insecurity due to disrupted supply chains, rising fuel prices, and economic instability. Recent analysis warns that up to 45 million additional people could be pushed into acute hunger in 2026 if the conflict persists and economic shocks worsen. 

How You Can Help 
There are many ways for you to help: give, talk, volunteer, or support! Check out our Conflict in the Headlines toolkit for all of these resources. 

GIVE: You can support the urgent humanitarian response by donating to these partners and others working on the front lines of the crisis through our Middle East Conflict Relief Fund. Contributions help provide emergency medical care, food assistance, clean water, shelter, protection services, and psychosocial support to civilians affected by ongoing violence. This fund is available on all major workplace giving platforms, including Benevity and YourCause.  

TALK: Use our Conflict in the Headlines toolkit to facilitate a lunch and learn or discussion at work or at home. If you are looking for resources on how to speak to your children about hard topics, like the Middle East conflict, check out these top 5 tips from Save the Children.  

VOLUNTEER: Our charity partners are working tirelessly to support those in the region, often under extremely tense situations. Show your appreciation to humanitarian workers in the field by hosting a letting writing activity with Global Impact. Learn how in the toolkit! 

SUPPORT: Beyond humanitarian aid, companies are also supporting employees directly impacted in the area. People-centered programs, like an Employee Assistance Fund, offer more than just dollars; they can provide dignity and hope to employees affected by the conflict. When employees receive help during a time of crisis, it reinforces that their employer cares about them not just as workers, but as people. When companies support their workforces, community resources can focus their efforts on those with the greatest need, amplifying the overall disaster response effectiveness. Learn more or reach out to [email protected] to explore what an EAF could look like in your workplace.

If your organization is looking for other ways to support individuals impacted by the Middle East conflict, please reach out to our Global Impact team.