Minderoo Foundation announces A$10 million rapid response package for Gaza

29 Oct 2025 – Minderoo Foundation will deploy A$10 million to support urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, in alignment with the 60-day plan outlined by UN Under Secretary-General Tom Fletcher.

This support will ensure urgent psychosocial and mental health impacts – particularly for Palestinian children – are addressed and recovery efforts restore hope and dignity alongside essential care.

The latest commitment builds on Minderoo Foundation’s sustained support since late 2023, bringing its total aid for Gaza to A$51 million.

The package is designed to provide immediate, flexible funding to stabilise acute humanitarian needs during the fragile ceasefire period, with a focus on critical gaps not being met by national contributions. It prioritises throughput of aid delivery, restoration of basic infrastructure and services to address malnutrition and trauma experienced across the community and to restart education programs. The package will be delivered through a mix of UN agencies and trusted local partners to ensure reach and impact across both northern and southern Gaza.

In a joint statement with Tom Fletcher, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Dr Forrest affirmed that with humanitarian access restored, this is the moment for humanity to unite – and to meet Gaza’s vast needs with equal measures of compassion, courage, and action.

“Minderoo is committing a further A$10 million to support the United Nations’ 60-Day Plan – with an urgent focus on care environments for Palestinian children and the huge psycho-social needs caused by the war.” Dr Forrest said.

Minderoo Foundation’s support will be delivered in close coordination with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), focusing on scaling up aid delivery, reversing acute malnutrition, reconnecting water supplies, restarting education, and restoring healthcare during these critical early weeks after months of deprivation.

“This package is about speed, flexibility, and a targeted response in dire conditions,” Nicola Forrest AO said.

“We are responding to a complex and evolving crisis with a focus on the most vulnerable – especially women, children, and those displaced by conflict.

“Health and education are the building blocks of a child’s future. Minderoo Foundation is acting now to relieve the impacts of malnutrition, trauma and ensure education does not await bricks and mortar reconstruction.”

The UN’s Gaza appeal remains 72 per cent underfunded, with US$4 billion still required.

UNICEF estimates US$186 million is needed over the next three months for essential services including nutrition, water, sanitation, education, and mental health. The Gaza rebuild is projected to cost US$70 billion. The Australian government has committed A$130 million to Gaza to date.

Médecins Sans Frontières Australia acting executive director, Ashley Killeen, said Minderoo Foundation’s generous contribution will provide vital support for the people of Gaza, including treatment for children experiencing malnutrition.

“While we welcome the ceasefire, the people of Gaza continue to face extreme medical-humanitarian needs and a long and challenging road to recovery,” she said.

“This gift will contribute towards MSF’s malnutrition screening activities and inpatient and outpatient therapeutic feeding centres across the Gaza strip, supporting the recovery of children with malnutrition.

“One of the tragic consequences of malnutrition is that it impairs children’s ability to heal their wounds, while also increasing their risk of infection, due to a lack of critical nutrients.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Minderoo Foundation which will help malnourished children receive the treatment they need.”

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell thanked Minderoo Foundation for its latest contribution to the Gaza aid effort.

“This contribution builds on Minderoo Foundation’s steadfast support for the vital work UNICEF is carrying out in Gaza alongside our local partners,” she said. “Having stood with us since the beginning of this humanitarian emergency, Minderoo’s partnership makes it possible to bring hope and support to children and families in desperate need. We are deeply grateful for Minderoo’s continued commitment and leadership.”

The ceasefire in Gaza has increased humanitarian access, but the environment remains complex, with significant population movement and ongoing security risks. Aid delivery will be challenged by logistical constraints, limited infrastructure, and heightened protection risks for women and girls, particularly those with disabilities.

Minderoo’s latest contribution aims to bridge the gap between emergency relief and longer-term recovery.

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