How to Help Palestinian Refugees

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in February 2023, prior to the Israel-Hamas war.

More than 72,000 Palestinians have been displaced in just the last couple of years due to erupting waves of violence and flare-ups in Palestine. And while Israelis agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, a militant group, that current truce continues to hang in the balance. (As of October 2023, the ceasefire has ended in Gaza, with many humanitarian organizations calling for it to be reinstated.)

Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are under deadly threat.

Unfortunately, the media often paint a grim picture of the Israeli-Palestinian tensions that it can become difficult to see the beauty of the Palestinian culture, which doesn’t just lie in territories and buildings but also in the hearts and minds of these friendly and hospitable people.

Wondering how to help Palestinian refugees? Thankfully, many humanitarian organizations are doing what they can to help refugees, from promoting peace to providing education. Palestinians face many struggles, even meeting basic needs, such as access to clean water and nutritional food.

With your kindness, be it through donations, volunteering, or advocacy, you’ll be doing a world of good to help empower Palestinian refugees in their communities, inspire a stronger future, and preserve their culture.

I want to go to Palestine to volunteer—is it possible?

Editor's Note: As of October 2023, Gaza is classified as Level 4 - Do Not Travel and the West Bank is classified as Level 3 - Reconsider Travel by the U.S. State Department. Reach out directly to volunteering organizations to learn more about the plausibility and safety of volunteering in Palestinian territories.

At the time of this article’s publication, yes, it’s possible to volunteer in Palestine, but be aware that it’s at your own risk, as severe armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest still exists in the area. The possibility of large-scale violence emerging at any moment is also a possibility and some experts say it’s imminent.

The most important thing to do is plenty of research first. For example, learn about the current situation, most-needed resources, cultural sensitivities, and safety measures—all of which must be taken seriously.

If you’ve made your decision to provide Palestinian humanitarian aid on the ground, check out these volunteer opportunities in Palestine. Some programs will have certain requirements for skills, experience, and age, so be sure that not only the program interests you, but also that you’re the right fit.

How to volunteer in Palestine

Volunteer opportunities with Palestinian refugees are limited, but they exist.

Editor's Note: Please note that due to the current conflict in this region, the programs below may be affected. We advise that you reach out directly to the providers listed below for more insight about program dates and availability.

So, you’ve definitely decided that you want to go to Palestine to volunteer. The vast majority of the following volunteer opportunities in Palestine focus not only on providing humanitarian aid, but also on facilitating intercultural exchanges, so you’ll have the option to stay with a host family and learn Arabic and possibly Hebrew.

The following programs primarily help the West Bank, and many of them will coordinate trips to holy sites, historical locations, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and other cities. You’ll also find short-, medium-, and long-term program choices to suit your availability.

• The Excellence Center in Palestine Programs. Located in the heart of Hebron, West Bank, this organization offers a wide breadth of volunteer programs that range from 1 to 12 weeks. Whether you’re interested in teaching English, promoting women’s rights, or elevating the Palestinian voice through media, you’ve got plenty of options with this impactful organization.
• Love Volunteers. Founded on the belief in offering affordable programs with no hidden fees, Love Volunteers has become one of the top most globally recognized organizations. They offer year-round programs to volunteer in the West Bank from 2 to 12 weeks, focused on restoring hope and joy to children in the community with educational programs and recreational activities.
• The Palestinian Center - Go Palestine Programs. This organization provides volunteer programs for both young and mature community members. Such activities include organizing workshops, teaching English, and helping with administrative tasks. You can even choose to volunteer as an article writer or a photographer too!
• NGOAbroad Programs. Founded by a social worker with nearly 30 years of experience, this organization offers a variety of programs from 2 to 12 weeks in the West Bank. Most notably, they look for volunteers (even if students) who can help with environmental engineering and medical issues. If you’re passionate about peacemaking, helping kids, or writing, you’ll find opportunities in those areas with NGOAbroad too.
• Project Hope. With a mission to empower youth, provide supportive spaces, and rebuild the community in the West Bank, Project Hope looks for volunteer teachers (who have a bit of experience teaching) to help refugees learn English and French. However, if you have skills in computers, arts, or athletics, they welcome you to share those too.

Where to donate to Palestine

Every donation to refugee aid makes a difference.

Wondering how to help Palestine—both the West Bank and Gaza—in other ways? Besides volunteering on the ground, you can also donate to Palestine to help improve medical services, humanitarian aid, education, support gender rights, and other social services.

Making a monetary donation to support Palestinian aid organizations will ensure that they can allocate the funds accordingly to the people in need.

Palestine-based charity and humanitarian organizations

• Palestine’s Children Relief Fund (PCRF). Works to provide free medical care for Palestinian children in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
• America Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA). Distributes emergency relief and other resources on the ground in Palestine with their partners.
• Doctors Without Borders - Palestine. Provides medical and mental health care on the ground in Gaza and other cities in the area.
• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Works to provide infrastructure, emergency services, healthcare, education, social services, and other relief services to Palestinians.
• United Palestinian Appeal (UPA). Accepts donations to help support Palestinian refugees in four main areas: education, outreach, healthcare, and community & economic development.

International humanitarian organizations directly helping Palestinian refugees and citizens

• International Medical Corps - Gaza. Works with local partners to provide emergency services and mental health services to refugees in Gaza.
• UNICEF - Palestine. Helps provide healthcare, protection, education, and other Palestinian humanitarian aid to children.
• Medical Aid for Palestinians. This Palestinian rights organization provides medical services to refugees and trains healthcare professionals to help grow their medical infrastructure.
• The Palestine Red Crescent Society. An extension of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, PRCS provides medical and ambulatory services.
• Middle East Children’s Alliance. A nonprofit, humanitarian aid organization that offers financial support, medical supplies, along with educational and cultural programs to Palestinian children.
• Global Giving. You’ll find a catalog of Palestinian aid organizations here where you can donate to Palestine.

More ways to help refugees abroad

Advocacy—one of the top answers on how to help Palestine. This involves spreading awareness about the situation and supporting legislation that fights for the rights of refugees.

You can also share Palestinian rights organizations’ donation links with family and friends on social media, invite others to volunteer (even remotely), and raise funds for them in your own creative way. You could also sponsor children and student refugees in Palestine with the following organizations:

• SOS Children’s Villages
• Humanium
• LaunchGood
• Fobzu
• Islamic Relief USA

Resources for relief volunteer work abroad

• All Hands and Hearts
• United Nations Volunteers
• 80+ Refugee Volunteer Programs Abroad
• 80+ Disaster Relief Volunteer Programs Abroad
• 100+ Conflict Resolution Programs Abroad
• 400+ Human Rights Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoAbroad articles that can help you prepare to volunteer in Palestine

Want to learn more about how to help Palestinian refugees or refugees in other countries? Check out the articles below to get started.

• 5 Reasons to Volunteer in Palestine
• The Refugee Crisis & How International Volunteers Can (or Can't) Help
• How to Provide REAL Relief When You Volunteer in Refugee Camps
• 4 Reasons Palestine is the Best Place to Learn Arabic Abroad
• 5 Unique Things about Living in Palestine

If you have resources that you would like to share or if you find the information above that is no longer accurate, please reach out to us at information@goabroad.com or comment below.