International Day of Charity
by Anera
Posted in: Days of Observance
Each year on September 5, the world comes together to recognize the International Day of Charity. Established by the United Nations, this day reminds us that charity in its many forms from giving time and resources or spreading the word has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities.
For Anera, this day is not symbolic. It is our daily work across Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan, where acts of charity from individuals, institutions and communities fuel programs that bring hope and dignity to people facing immense challenges.
Charity in Action – International Day of Charity 2025
In Gaza, charity means emergency relief for families displaced by war in the form of meals, clean water, medicine, and psychosocial support delivered under some of the harshest conditions imaginable.
In Lebanon, charity sustains education and vocational training that give youth real opportunities to support themselves and their families, while also offering young girls alternatives to early marriage.
In the West Bank, charity provides some of the youngest members of the society with access to new preschools, trained teachers and age-appropriate learning materials to reach them at a critical time in their development.
In Jordan, charity transforms urban spaces into productive, water-efficient gardens, using techniques like wicking beds, building food security and climate resilience.
Behind each of these efforts are people who care: Anera supporters, local partners and the communities themselves. Their contributions, whether large or small, are multiplied when combined with Anera’s on-the-ground expertise and trusted networks.
Why Charity Matters Right Now
In a world marked by conflict, displacement and widening inequalities, charity is more than an act of kindness. It can be life-saving. It is also about solidarity, affirming that the suffering of others is not theirs alone to bear, but our shared human responsibility.
For 57 years, Anera has translated the spirit of charity into practical action. From emergency aid deliveries to long-term development, we ensure that every dollar, every donation, and every volunteer effort makes a tangible impact. We also uphold strict compliance and accountability standards, so donors can trust that their generosity reaches those who need it most.
Join Us
On this International Day of Charity, we invite you to stand with Anera. Together, we can turn compassion into concrete change – feeding families, educating children, creating jobs and restoring dignity where it is most at risk.
Charity is not just about giving. It’s about believing in a future where hope endures.
Mobilizing for Good – International Day of Charity 2023
What is the International Day of Charity?
Established by the UN in 2012, the International Day of Charity was created with the aim of
“sensitizing and mobilizing people, NGOs, and stakeholders all around the world to to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities.
“International Day of Charity – 5 September.”
The date of 5 September was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 ‘for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.’”
United Nations, 8/30/2023, https://www.un.org/en/observances/charity-day
Anera’s Beginnings: Charity and Mobilizing to Help Palestine
The 1967 Arab-Israeli War left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians homeless, stateless, traumatized and impoverished. As various international entities struggled to respond, a small group of concerned Americans began working to provide immediate assistance to the victims of the conflict.
Anera grew out of a partnership that continues to this day between the Arab-American community and the American philanthropic community involved in the Middle East. It is a partnership that has shaped Anera’s unique personality and the strong personal and institutional links it has forged with a wide spectrum of concerned Americans.
Some of our earliest work focused on job creation through grants and scholarships for local Palestinian organizations and agricultural cooperatives. Anera’s medical donations program formally began in the early 1970s with the merger of American Middle East Rehabilitation (AMER). AMER was the oldest non-sectarian American relief agency aiding Palestinian refugees at the time. From this merger, Anera’s medical donations program was born.
From Charity to Long-term Development in the Middle East
Anera’s programs have transformed since the early 1980s, from providing funds and emergency charity services to delivering large- and small-scale community development projects. Today, our symbiotic programs never lose focus on long-term human development, even when the immediate need is emergency humanitarian aid. While Anera delivers charity and relief, we also invest in job creation, infrastructure, education and food longer-term security.
Our programs improve family livelihoods by creating hundreds of work opportunities in construction, sewing, cooking, health promotion, humanitarian response, education, and more. We help women entrepreneurs start and build up small businesses that support whole families. And we work with farmers and agricultural cooperatives to develop and expand the cultivation of their land.
How You Can Help Our Work in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan
We are a community supported and led organization that relies on the support of people like YOU. Here are some ways you can help:
- Donate | Donating is the most immediate way you can support communities in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan.
- Fundraise | Starting your own campaign is easy with Anera’s online fundraising platform. Get your friends and family involved to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.
- Give Monthly | Your gift helps sustain core programs and helps Anera respond quickly in times of crisis.
- Become A Social Media Ambassador | Our social ambassador program is the perfect volunteer opportunity for content creators with a 10k+ following who want to raise awareness of our mission and the challenges the communities we work with face.
- Attend An Event | Be on the lookout on our social media platforms and website for upcoming events in your area and around the country that support Anera’s programs.
Why Does Charity Day Matter?
When you support vulnerable communities in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan you are helping make a safer and more peaceful world. By uplifting the most vulnerable among us we embody the spirit of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.”