Palestinian children wait at a food distribution point in the Gaza Strip. By destroying food production in the Gaza Strip and cutting off aid access, Israel is forcing over 1 million people into catastrophic levels of hunger, says the writer.
YUSUF MOHAMED
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 42000 people had been killed – at least a third of which were children – and 95000 people had been wounded. With many still unaccounted for, the actual figures could be far higher.
An estimated 90% of people have been displaced and are trapped in the most densely populated region on earth. Families repeatedly flee in search of safety – safety which does not exist in Palestine. The Israeli military orders people to leave an area, only to attack them in the camps, schools, hospitals and other places where they are told to seek shelter.
Barely anything remains of Gaza’s medical infrastructure. Diseases are spreading fast, people are starving to death, and famine looms.
Global non-profit organisation Islamic Relief has worked in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1997 and has a well-established local team in Gaza. This past year, we have been compelled to suspend our long-term programming to focus all our efforts and resources on lifesaving aid distribution.
◆ 2.3 million medical items at the start of the crisis, and we are currently supporting a healthcare facility serving nearly 10000 people.
◆ Clean drinking water to approximately 80000 people daily.
◆ Warm clothes, blankets, mattresses and makeshift tents to 45849 families.
◆ Hygiene and dignity kits to 381742 people.
◆ Portable toilets accessible to over 70000 people.
◆ Ready-to-eat meals, food items and vouchers, and we are currently serving hot meals to approximately 175000 people daily.
Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war against the people of Gaza. By destroying food production in the Gaza Strip and cutting off aid access, Israel is forcing over 1 million people into catastrophic levels of hunger. In response, Islamic Relief has distributed over 40 million hot meals, 25470 food vouchers, over 250000 fresh vegetable packs, and nutritional supplements to over 35000 people during the past year.
We work with commercial suppliers and UN agencies like the World Food Programme, who are managing to get some food supplies into Gaza which we then work with six local partner organisations to distribute. However, not nearly enough is getting through and much more is urgently needed.
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. Yomna is an 8-year-old girl who says that she is living a nightmare in Gaza: “We have not been to school since the start of the war. I am afraid I will forget what I learned. I do not know what happened to my school and my teachers.
I also miss Salma, my friend. I really miss them very much. I miss going to restaurants with my parents. My favourite restaurant was Mazaj. They made good food. Sometimes I feel hungry, but I can’t find anything to eat. Our life now is like a nightmare.
Sometimes when they bomb nearby, I am afraid if someone gets hurt, they will not get help because there are too many people in the hospital. I have changed during these months. I used to think the future would be bright but now I do not think so. Our future is very dark. I want the world to know what it is like to be a child in Gaza now. Children in Gaza could die in their sleep. If they survive, they could have to live their lives without their parents or anyone to care for them. If they survive, they may end up living in tents in the mud and sand, and getting soaked when it rains.”
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 like Yomna some reprieve during this nightmare situation.
We are deeply grateful to donors who have helped to sustain our Orphan Sponsorship Programme that has been operating in Gaza for more than 22 years. However, the team is heartbroken that 118 children cared for by this programme are known to have been killed.
Islamic Relief currently sponsors more than 16300 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’s impact would not be possible without the valued trust of our 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 who need it most.
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.
* Mohamed is the chief executive of Islamic Relief South Africa
Cape Times