The Gaza Strip has long been a focal point of humanitarian concern
due to ongoing conflict, poverty, and infrastructure devastation. Millions of
Palestinians depend on international aid for basic necessities such as food,
healthcare, shelter, and education. Understanding who provides the most
humanitarian assistance to Gaza is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of
global aid, political influences, and the challenges inherent in delivering
help in such a complex environment.
Historical Foundations of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
Humanitarian assistance to Palestinians predates the modern
conflicts, with aid efforts starting as early as the 1948 Arab–Israeli war.
Over decades, various donors including Western countries, Arab states, and
international agencies have provided crucial funding and services aimed at
alleviating suffering and supporting the development of local governance
structures.
The Oslo Accords in the early 1990s marked a significant
development for Palestinians, with international aid explicitly tied to
economic development and political stability. Under these agreements, generous
aid packages were designed to support the creation and sustainment of the
Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The international donor community,
rallying around peace hopes, pledged billions of dollars to fuel growth and public
support for ongoing negotiations.
However, the landscape shifted considerably after 2006 when
Hamas won elections in Gaza and subsequently took control of the Strip. Many
Western countries, including the United States and members of the EuropeanUnion, ceased direct aid to Hamas-led Gaza due to its terrorist designation.
This change led to an increased reliance on non-governmental organizations, UN
agencies, and countries such as Qatar and Iran providing aid through informal
or indirect channels.
Major Providers of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
1. The United States
The United States has historically been one of the largest
donors of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, including Gaza, primarily through
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Since the early
1990s, the U.S. has contributed over $5.2 billion in aid, often focusing on
humanitarian relief, infrastructure, health, and economic development.
In recent years, the U.S. has provided roughly $600 million
annually in aid to Palestinians, including significant funding channeled
through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in
the Near East (UNRWA). This support covers essential services such as
education, healthcare, and emergency relief in Gaza.
However, U.S. aid policies have fluctuated with political
developments, including cuts linked to concerns over Palestinian payments to
militants and political stances on the peace process. Despite these
fluctuations, the United States remains a vital contributor to Gaza’s
humanitarian needs.
2. The European Union and Member States
The European Union, together with its member states,
collectively forms the largest donor group to Gaza and Palestinian territories
overall. Since 1993, the EU and affiliated countries have provided the majority
share of international aid aimed at supporting Palestinians.
The EU’s aid focuses extensively on humanitarian relief,
infrastructure, institutional reform, and economic development. Agencies such
as the European Commission coordinate funding, often disbursed through direct
budget support to the Palestinian Authority, UN agencies, and numerous
international and Palestinian non-governmental organizations.
European countries like Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, and
Spain have been particularly notable contributors. The EU’s comprehensive
approach integrates emergency aid with long-term development strategies
designed to build resilience and governance capacity amid ongoing conflict.
3. Arab Nations
Arab League countries have also been key players in
humanitarian and financial support to Gaza. States such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait have provided significant donations and
reconstruction aid, especially following conflicts that have devastated Gaza’s
infrastructure.
Qatar stands out as one of the largest Arab donors, having
contributed more than $1 billion in reconstruction funds and humanitarian
payments since 2014. This aid, often delivered with the tacit approval of
Israel despite the blockade, includes stipends for needy families and funding
for rebuilding homes, schools, and health facilities.
Other Arab nations have typically provided aid via regional
development funds or through direct bilateral contributions, often coordinated
with international partners. However, the Arab states’ contributions have
sometimes been criticized for not fully meeting pledged amounts or for
political conditionality linked to internal Palestinian divisions.
4. United Nations Agencies
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a central institution in the delivery of
humanitarian aid to Gaza’s population. Funded by voluntary contributions from
governments worldwide, UNRWA provides education, healthcare, social services,
and emergency aid to more than two million registered refugees in Gaza.
UNRWA’s work is heavily dependent on sustained donor
funding, with the agency facing chronic financial shortfalls that limit service
provision. Its donor base includes many Western countries, the EU, Japan, and
Arab states, highlighting a broad coalition maintaining essential services
despite political challenges.
In addition to UNRWA, other UN bodies such as the World
Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF provide
specialized aid from medical supplies to feeding programs that service
vulnerable populations within Gaza.
5. Other International and Non-Governmental Organizations
A range of international
NGOs and charities play a vital role in delivering aid directly to Gaza.
These organizations often work where political constraints limit official
government-to-government assistance. Groups such as Oxfam, Médecins Sans
Frontières, and international Muslim charities mobilize medical aid, food, water,
and shelter support, sometimes filling gaps left by larger donors.
Furthermore, some countries provide aid indirectly through
these entities to ensure humanitarian support reaches civilians without
political interference.
The Financial Scale of Aid and Challenges
According to estimates by the OECD and the World Bank,
Palestinians have received more than $40 billion in international aid since the
1990s. Between 2014 and 2020 alone, UN agencies spent nearly $4.5 billion on
the Gaza Strip, reflecting the scale of ongoing need.
Despite immense inflows of funding, Gaza remains mired in
crisis, primarily due to repeated conflicts, the Israeli-Egyptian blockade, and
internal governance challenges. Administrative divisions between Hamas in Gaza
and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank further complicate aid
coordination and distribution.
Political concerns about terrorism financing have led major
donors such as the U.S. and EU to restrict direct aid to Hamas, forcing most
funding to be channeled through alternative routes. This situation increases
the complexity of ensuring aid reaches the population without diversion.
Implications for Gaza’s Population
Humanitarian aid is a lifeline for Gaza’s residents,
addressing urgent needs such as food security, medical care, sanitation, and
education. However, long-term dependency on aid raises concerns about economic
sustainability and political leverage.
Major donors balance humanitarian objectives with
geopolitical considerations, including promoting peace and stability. Donor
fatigue and shifting international priorities could impact future aid flows,
making the need for durable political solutions and economic development even
more critical.
Understanding Aid Dynamics and Looking Forward
Humanitarian aid to Gaza involves a broad array of actors,
with the United States, European Union, Arab states, and United Nations
agencies providing the bulk
of financial and material support. Their combined efforts sustain essential
services and alleviate suffering but face persistent obstacles including
political divisions, security restrictions, and economic hardship.
Recognizing who sends the most money in humanitarian aid to Gaza helps understand the geopolitical stakes and donor priorities shaping the unfolding crisis. Continued international support, coupled with breakthroughs in peace efforts and infrastructure development, is crucial for improving the humanitarian outlook for Gaza’s population.