Registration for the new convoy, Viva Palestina 5 - a Global Lifeline to Gaza, has now closed. The VP team has put a lot of work into reviewing everyone's feedback from the previous three successful convoys, and from the Freedom Flotilla, in order to make this next convoy even more effective. So even if you have taken part before, please read through the application process (links at bottom of page) carefully. There are, for example, new procedures governing registration and controls on finance and aid.

The challenges are immense - the government of Israel, and others, remain committed to this siege on the Palestinian people. But the chance to make decisive progress is better now than at any time in the last three years. The blockade is weakening, though that has come at the enormous price of the loss of nine aid volunteers aboard the Mavi Marmara when it was so brutally attacked. Many governments and major NGOs are now calling for an end to the blockade.

Ending this illegal and immoral siege is going to require a huge effort from all those who care about Palestine. It is also going to need strategic cooperation between the international aid efforts.

That's why Viva Palestina has agreed to launch this convoy after extensive discussions with partners in Gaza and internationally aimed at maximising rather than duplicating our efforts.

It is hoped that a new, bigger, more international flotilla will head off for Gaza at around the same time as the land convoy is there. In any case, this will be the biggest convoy yet, with three legs - from London, from Casablanca and from Doha, converging at Al Arish.

We are asking you to get behind the convoy in whatever way you can - going on it, providing a vehicle, fundraising, promoting it and helping to ensure widespread public awareness as it travels.

The aid we are taking will be of the highest quality. The people of Gaza deserve nothing less and we have clear lists of what is needed from those who are working on the ground and who know first hand.

We aim to take some of all the different categories of humanitarian relief required in Gaza. And, of course, by doing so we aim to highlight the unjust and unsustainable siege.

Enthusiasm for this convoy is very high and we anticipate it filling up quickly. Already, support is coming in from new areas, such as major trade unions in the UK, and new coalitions to build the VP5 convoy are forming in many countries - from New Zealand to Morocco and Italy.

We are very grateful for your ongoing support for the people of Palestine and for Viva Palestina's efforts.

There are many ways you can help, including volunteering to be part of the teams working on aid, fundraising, vehicles and so on.

Please feel free to contact us with your ideas. But don't delay, we have eight weeks to make a major contribution to ending the suffering in the Gaza Strip and moving a step closer to justice for the Palestinian people.

Registration criteria for volunteer drivers

Registration for Viva Palestina 5 has now closed - please contact us for further information

For those volunteers wishing to register their application to join the Viva Palestina Land Convoy as a volunteer driver please read the following joining criteria. You can apply by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.

Criteria are based on the need to ensure that we only take vehicles & aid that Gaza has specifically requested - not what we think they need. Therefore all vehicles and aid must be on the Approved VP Gaza Aid & Vehicle list.

We will, however, discuss any proposal for the following two categories of AID but these are strictly subject to pre-approval prior to purchase

The two options in which you can join the convoy as a Volunteer Driver are

Option 1. Viva Palestina Aid Unit [VPAU]

Registration for Viva Palestina 5 has now closed - please contact us for further information

This option allows you to focus solely on the fundraising and leaves the logistics of locating and purchasing both vehicle and aid to Viva Palestina.

Your fundraising target is 50% of the vehicle purchase price with also a contribution towards aid (based on 2 drivers per vehicle). You will be matched with another driver at training day to drive this vehicle to Gaza. Both drivers names will be displayed on the vehicle acknowledging you both as the principal donors for aid and vehicle.

You would be required to fundraise for a minimum target of £3,500 per person for the costs of purchasing a vehicle and aid.

  • £1000 is required to be paid to Viva Palestina on the 14th August
  • £2500 is required to be paid to Viva Palestina by the 28th August to enable the purchase of the vehicle and aid

Without full payment Viva Palestina cannot purchase the vehicle and the aid.

  • Registering online with Viva Palestina for the convoy is required
  • Viva Palestina will purchase and own the vehicle
  • Viva Palestina will purchase the aid to fill the vehicle
  • Viva Palestina will contribute towards the costs of aid for the vehicle
  • Viva Palestina will pay the fare for the UK-France crossing and the Italy to Greece ferry crossing for the vehicle
  • Viva Palestina will cover the costs of mechanical breakdown en route
  • Viva Palestina will provide you with support and authority to fundraise on behalf of Viva Palestina
  • Joining location for Viva Palestina UK registered volunteers is London only

You need to be over 23yrs to drive a Viva Palestina vehicle.

You need to hold a valid driver's license with a International driving permit and preferably have a minimum of 5 years' driving experience.

You will need to self finance the costs of

  • 50% of the vehicles fuel and toll costs based on 2 people per vehicle
  • Your passenger fare on ferries, visa's, accommodation where required, food, transfer fee to Cairo and return airfares.(Estimated between £800 and £1,000
  • You will be required to pay an administration of £149 at registration. A breakdown of what the administration fee covers is detailed in the online registration

Option 2. Donate to Drive [DTD]

Registration for Viva Palestina 5 has now closed - please contact us for further information

This option allows you to locate and purchase your own vehicle and aid to drive to Gaza, providing it is included on the approved vehicle and aid list as requested by Gaza. This is suitable for those volunteers who have the time to research vehicles or have a good understanding of the vehicle market as well as aid sources. The following conditions apply.

  • Registering online with Viva Palestina for the convoy is required
  • Obtain pre-approval prior to purchase for vehicle and aid from the VP team.
  • Once purchased, all vehicle and aid details must be submitted to Viva Palestina before the 28th August to be included in the official convoy vehicle & aid listing.
  • Maximum number of drivers per vehicle is 3, minimum 2.
  • No non driving passengers are allowed - all must be able to drive.
  • All vehicles must be fully laden with aid, there cannot be provision made inside the vehicles for sleeping space etc.
  • All drivers must be over 21yrs.
  • All drivers need to hold a valid driver's license with a International driving permit and preferably have a minimum of 5 years' driving experience.
  • All drivers travelling with vehicle must register independently online with Viva Palestina and state who they are travelling with for that vehicle.
  • Joining location for Viva Palestina UK registered volunteers is London only

Costs to be paid by drivers within the vehicle are

  • Vehicle & Passenger fares for all ferry crossings
  • Vehicle & fuel costs
  • Mechanical breakdown and repairs
  • Road tolls
  • Visas
  • Accomodation where required
  • Food
  • Transfer fee to Cairo
  • Return airfares

You will be required to pay an administration of £149 at registration. A breakdown of the administration fee covers is detailed in the online registration.

All ferry fares are required to be paid to Viva Palestina by the 28th of August for booking purposes. We will advise what is required in due course.

Click here to contact us (convoyregistration@vivapalestina.org)