In a matter of days, hundreds of civilians have been killed and thousands more injured. One strike on a school in Iran killed over 150 people, mostly children. War does not contribute to sustainable peace. These bombardments are destabilising the entire region and threatening global security. Despite the actions of governments and world leaders, it is local communities and people who pay the price.
Local peacebuilders are a lifeline during times of crises. They are the first responders. With existing relationships with their communities and a deep understanding of the impact of conflicts, they can reach areas and neighbourhoods that non-local people cannot. Peace Direct has supported peacebuilders in the region with an emergency grant to rapidly support the communities affected by the conflict.
Our emergency grants are possible thanks to the generosity of the public, whose donations enable us to rapidly support local peacebuilders as they respond. Please donate to help us to continue providing emergency funding to local peacebuilders.
Civilians across the region, including Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and Israel, are already suffering the consequences of conflicts. Recent attacks are not an act of peace, nor do they contribute to peace. Instead, they will only further devastate the lives of thousands of ordinary people.
Last month we shared stories from Iran, as people navigated unprecedented force from Iranian authorities. Now the same people are facing daily strikes from the US and Israel. One woman in Iran shared that she attended the protests “to join the calls for freedom and change,” yet the escalation of war in the country will make that nearly impossible.
The war is spreading across the region. Israeli troops have expanded a ground invasion in Lebanon with Israel now issuing evacuation orders to people. Strikes across the country have killed dozens of people.
The humanitarian crisis in Palestine is compounded by relentless violence across Gaza and the West Bank. Despite the population in Gaza being reliant on aid to survive, Israel has once again closed the Rafah crossing – the only access route Gaza has to the outside world. Israel has continued near daily attacks on Gaza, ignoring the formal ceasefire agreement. Attacks are also increasing in the West Bank, with Israeli authorities intensifying their forced displacement of Palestinians to accommodate Israeli settlements – all of which are illegal under international law.
Our emergency grants are possible thanks to the generosity of the public, whose donations enable us to rapidly support local peacebuilders as they respond. Please donate to help us to continue providing emergency funding to local peacebuilders.
At the end of 2024, one year into Israel’s genocide on Gaza, our local peacebuilding expert in Lebanon explained that it is not possible to have true peacebuilding alongside such injustice and unaccountability. 18 months on, the statement from our local peacebuilding expert remains true.
As we watch these events unfold, we are increasingly inspired by the acts of resistance and solidarity from our partners, supporters and peers. These actions are rooted in a commitment and a desire for long-lasting peace.
Donate to support local peacebuilders responding to crises.
Read stories directly from people in Iran.
Explore our take action for Palestine hub.
