Starvation as a weapon: Islamic Relief highlights Gaza's plight

By destroying food production in the Gaza Strip and cutting off aid access, Israel is forcing over one million people into catastrophic levels of hunger, global non-profit organisation Islamic Relief says.

The organisation said Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war against the people of Gaza and in response, Islamic Relief has distributed over 40 million hot meals, 25,470 food vouchers, over 250 000 fresh vegetable packs, and nutritional supplements to more than 35 000 people in the past year.

Islamic Relief works with commercial suppliers and UN agencies like the World Food Programme, who are managing to get some food supplies into Gaza, which the organisation and six local partner organisations then distribute.

However, not nearly enough is getting through and much more is urgently needed, Islamic Relief said.

“For an entire year now, Israel has repeatedly violated international humanitarian law with complete impunity.

The violence is spreading into neighbouring countries, as Israel relentlessly attacks civilians, health facilities, homes, shelters, institutions of learning and places of worship, and continues to block humanitarian aid from reaching starving families in Gaza.

“At last count, more than 42 000 people have been killed – at least a third of which are children – and 95 000 people wounded in Gaza.

“With many still unaccounted for, the actual figures could be far higher,” the organisation said.

An estimated 90% of people have been displaced. Families repeatedly flee in search of safety – safety which does not exist in Palestine.

“Barely anything remains of Gaza’s medical infrastructure. Diseases are spreading fast, people are starving to death, and famine looms,” Islamic Relief said.

The non-profit has worked in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1997 and has a well-established local team in Gaza.

This past year, the aid organisation was compelled to suspend its long-term programming.

This was in order to focus all its efforts and resources on lifesaving aid distribution. Since the start of this current crisis, Islamic Relief has distributed 2.3 million medical items and is currently supporting a healthcare facility serving nearly 10 000 people, clean drinking water to approximately 80 000 people daily, warm clothes, blankets, mattresses and makeshift tents to 45 849 families, hygiene and dignity kits to 381 742 people, portable toilets accessible to over 70 000 people and food items and vouchers and, currently, hot meals for approximately 175 000 people daily.

“Islamic Relief staff and local partners in Gaza are enduring many of the same challenges as the families that they are working tirelessly to support.

Despite this, they remain as committed as ever to ensuring that the people of Gaza have access to as much aid as possible.”

As some of the most vulnerable among the population, Gaza’s children are suffering deeply under the brute force of this escalation.

So far, Islamic Relief has provided psychosocial support sessions to 90 000 children in shelters and camps.

These sessions include recreational activities and games that offer children some reprieve during this nightmare situation.

The organisation said it was deeply grateful to donors who have helped to sustain its Orphan Sponsorship Programme, which has been operating in Gaza for more than 22 years.

The team said that 118 children cared for by this programme are known to have been killed.

Islamic Relief also currently sponsors more than 16 300 orphans, many of whom have been orphaned this past year.

Sponsored orphans and their families have access to funds from Islamic Relief, and can use an SMS code to withdraw money from supermarkets, since most banks are closed.

They use these cash grants to purchase what they need most.

Islamic Relief South Africa CEO Yusuf Mohamed said the organisation’s impact would not be possible without the valued trust of its donors.

“While we are incredibly grateful for the contributions we have received for our ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza, the challenges we face are immense. With continued support, we can ensure that aid continues to flow to those most in need, even in these difficult conditions.

“In addition to delivering aid, Islamic Relief continues to advocate for an end to the brutality.

“We have lobbied governments, addressed public events and organised petitions to call for an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and an end to Israel’s blockade.

Ultimately there must be an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine, and the upholding of international law.

Until then, Islamic Relief remains steadfast in our mission to serve those in need.”

Cape Times