The Charity Commission hosted a roundtable meeting today (6
February 2025) bringing together major international aid
charities and government departments to discuss the pressing need
to secure the flow of aid to the Middle East.
Leaders of organisations including the Disasters Emergency
Committee were joined by senior officials from the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office, the Home Office and HM
Treasury.
Leaders of umbrella bodies NCVO and Bond also participated in the
meeting, held in central London.
Discussion centred on how partners across civil society and
government can work effectively to accelerate delivery of aid to
the Middle East within a strong regulatory framework.
Representatives explored the practical operating challenges of
seeking to support those living in areas devastated by the impact
of recent events in the region. They discussed the importance of
regulatory compliance, including with the various legal duties
and challenges affecting charities working in the Middle East.
Following the meeting, the Commission undertook to work with
other government departments to publish further guidance to
support charities of all sizes seeking to operate in the region.
Chief Executive Officer of the Charity Commission, David
Holdsworth, said:
“The role of aid charities will be crucial not only to
providing immediate humanitarian support to people in the region,
but to the long, complex process of rebuilding Gaza, Syria and
other war-torn areas.
“As the charity regulator our role is to enable as well as to
enforce. In convening today's roundtable the Commission sought to
bring together key players for an honest conversation about the
challenges and risks involved in delivering international aid in
such circumstances.
“All were united by an ambition to help ensure that the UK
and its citizens can effectively help bring aid to a region in
desperate need.
“The Commission stands ready to support however it can within
its regulatory remit and we will shortly publish further advice
to charities working in this area.”
