Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN health agency (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stated that in Israel, where 1,400 people have been murdered so far, and in Gaza, where over 9,000 people have been killed, 70% of the victims being women and children.
“It is the innocent civilians who are suffering here.” “Let us remember the victims,” he insisted.
Funds are needed urgently.
The situation has become extremely dire, and the UN and its allies will issue an updated flesh appeal for the Occupied Palestinian Territory covering the rest of the year.
The UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA) spokesperson Jens Laerke said that a first flash appeal for $294 million to assist over 1.3 million individuals, issued on October 12, 2023, must be increased.
Now, 2.7 million people — the entire population of Gaza plus 500,000 people in the occupied West Bank – require aid with food, water, health care, shelter, and cleanliness, with a cost of $1.2 billion anticipated to address their demands.
AFYBA Supports War Efforts in Israel
With all the chaos going on, you must be interested in donating money but do not know how to go about it.
To ensure that your money is in the right hands, you should find an organization with a clear plan and already has a presence in the affected region.
Remember that if the organization you donate to does not have a clear plan, the money will most likely be misused or sit there without making any impact.
One organization with a plan and years of presence in the affected area for decades is the American Friends of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva (AFYBA).
AFYBA is an Israeli non-profit educational system that educates 24,000 students from Israel and other nations.
The history of AFYBA began in 1939 when Rabbi Moshe Zvi Neria moved to Kfar Haroeh to establish a new type of yeshiva high school.
Over the next 80 years, AFYBA grew into a network of 70 institutions throughout Israel.
Through the studies, students find their way into top IDF combat groups or commit to Sherut Leumi, Israel’s National Service Corps.
Many outperform national college admissions averages, reflecting Torah ideals in numerous sectors of Israeli culture, business, academia, and more.
Recognizing the victims’ immediate needs due to the ongoing war, AFYBA has converted many of their school campuses into safe havens for families affected by the horrific attacks.
These establishments now act as safe havens, providing essentials such as food, shelter, and other necessities.
The facilities serve as beacons of hope and security, assuring the safety of all individuals, from infants to the elderly.
The organization has also repurposed some of its schools into military bases. With many reservists mobilized for “Operation Swords of Iron,” such infrastructure support is critical.
It serves as a strategic command center for troops devoted to homeland defense.
The organization has pledged to purchase crucial equipment such as ceramic bulletproof vests, helmets, and drones to boost the military’s ability to counter terrorist threats.
Aside from weapons and strategic resources, there is a need for amenities such as hygiene, clothing, flashlights, and first-aid kits for those on the front line.
Your contribution will go into funding these activities, which ensure that the victims are not only safe but also that the military is well equipped to fight the terrorists.
You can reduce your taxable income.
Besides helping the victims going through a crisis, giving donations can significantly reduce your taxable income, which means that you pay a smaller tax.
If you itemize deductions on your taxes, you can deduct eligible donations from your adjusted gross income.
The standard deduction 2023 is $13,850 for single filers and $27,700 for married couples filing jointly.
You can take either the standard deduction or your total itemized deductions, which include charitable contributions, medical expenditures, state and local taxes, and more – whichever is greater.
Because most people take the standard deduction, smaller charitable contributions are less likely to result in a tax benefit, but it depends on your total combined itemized deductions.
Be on the lookout for scams.
As much as you are looking to help people in need, your help can land in the hands of scammers.
Scammers pay attention to the headlines, and when there is a conflict or a natural disaster, they know that people want to help, so they try to take advantage of the situation and your kindness.
You do not want your donation to be used by an individual who is not in need, do you? There are several things you can do to ensure this doesn’t happen. These things include:
Research
Before donating money to a charity, ask questions. You should inquire about the organization collecting your donation and where the funds will be used.
Scammers may try to take advantage of you without revealing the identity of their organization. You should always find this out before you donate. Also, ensure that the organization can explain exactly how your money will be used.
Ask for EIN
All charities in the United States have an Employee Identification Number (EIN) that the IRS utilizes for searches. The charity in question should be able to provide you with this number.
If a charity in the United States refuses to provide you with this number, it may not be legitimate.
As you ask for the details, you should also be able to inquire about whether the charity is managed by volunteers or paid fundraisers, as well as how much of your donation will be received by the organization.
Be wise when donating.
After doing background checks and confirming that a charity is genuine and you’ve decided to donate, you should be cautious about how you pay.
You should go with credit card donations as they provide additional financial security. Never make a donation using cryptocurrencies, cash, or a debit card.
Scammers frequently use haste to force victims to give over their money without completing any research. Stay calm, and don’t give in to scammers’ pressure.
