National

Aussie aid appeal for Middle East humanitarian crisis

Mar 17, 2026

Mat Tinkler of Save The Children says humanitarian needs in the Middle East couldn't be more urgent. -AAP Image

As conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, millions of people across the region are being displaced amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

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Australia's leading aid agencies have launched a public appeal to raise urgent funds to support relief efforts in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank.

"Thousands of people who've been killed or injured, millions of people have been displaced from their homes, and tens of millions are living in fear," Mat Tinkler, chief executive of Save the Children Australia, told AAP.

"The humanitarian needs couldn't be more urgent.

"We're asking for the Australian public to show their generosity and goodwill to help people in this terrible situation overseas."

According to the International Organisation for Migration, almost one million people have been forced to flee their homes in Lebanon as a result of the war.

In Iran, more than 3.2 million people have been displaced, with reports of about 1300 people killed and over 9000 injured since the conflict started in late February.

People in war-torn Gaza and Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and the West Bank are also being impacted, as aid lines are cut, severing access to food, clean water, fuel and medical supplies, and refugees cross borders.

"There are significant needs," Mr Tinkler said.

Australian donations to the appeal will help the charities provide food, shelter, water, sanitation, medical and school, as well as support families "who are living with basically nothing right now".

"We get that Aussies are doing it tough and we get that this is a long way from home, but what happens overseas matters for us as Australians," Mr Tinkler said.

"We're asking them to dig deep and give whatever they can."

The charities are hoping to raise millions of dollars and say the funds will have an immediate impact.

"All of our agencies are already active in this crisis in the Middle East, so this will give us the confidence to provide supplies ... and surge in more relief," Mr Tinkler said.

The 15 charities behind the joint Middle East Appeal are: Save the Children Australia, Plan International Australia, Oxfam Australia, Australia for UNHCR, ActionAid, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, ADRA, Act for Peace, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid, CBM, ChildFund Australia and Tearfund.