Disaster Response Palestine Project #28637

Aid for Children and Families in Gaza

by Middle East Children's Alliance

Project Report | Jul 20, 2023
Emergency food parcels during Israeli attack

By Josina Shields-Stromsness | MECA Program Director

Distributing emergency food parcels

During Israel's brutal attack on Gaza that lasted for 6 days in May, MECA and our partners acted quickly to distribute food parcels to 500 families in need even as the bombs were falling.

This emergency distribution targeted families who had no source of income, many of them rely on daily labor so with everything shut down and people at home, they had nothing to live on. Due to the emergency situation, we did not include fresh produce but instead focused on what was available immediately but we still ensured each parcel included healthy food for children like milk, cheese, lentils, za'atar, and a special treat of chocolate.

Here is what our volunteers and the families receiving food parcels said:

"While bombs rain down on Gaza, MECA's partners managed to deliver food parcels to families. Said, a volunteer who helped with distribution in Nuseirat refugee camp said, 'I go out despite the bombing. I keep thinking of people in need. We have to show them that they are not alone.'"

Wasim, a father of four, sells shoes on a small cart to support his family. He explained "Since the first day of the Israeli bombing, I could not go to work, I lost my source of income. I think every day how to feed my children, I am very grateful for your help."

We also continue our regular food parcel distributions targeting more than 1000 families each quarter to provide them with healthy, local food.

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Mar 22, 2023
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By Josina Shields-Stromsness | MECA Program Director

Nov 22, 2022
Healthy Food & School Bags for Children in Gaza

By Josina Shields-Stromsness | Program Director

Food parcels are full of healthy,local ingredients

MECA staff and partners have been hard at work providing aid to children and families in Gaza. Our aid work meets some of the most urgent needs of children in Gaza who are facing food insecurity and malnutrition due to rising unemployment rates after decades of occupation and more than 15 years under a tighening siege.

In April, May, August, and November, we did distributions of food parcels reaching 4,600 families in Gaza. These food parcels provide nutricious local foods while also supporting small farmers and businesses that produce foods. Each food parcel is designed to provide healthy meals for a family for 2-3 weeks.

In August, as children returned to schools, MECA provided new backpacks filled with school supplies to 2,690 children. The backpacks were made in a local factory which employees 20 women who are the sole breadwinners for their families. This project prepares children for a successful school year by ensuring they have all the materials they need to study and learn.

As I write, winter is just starting and already the streets of Gaza flooded with the first heavy rain. We are working now to distribute warm clothes and new shoes for children and to provide house shields - a kit of insulated material to cover the roof of homes- to families with leaky roofs to ensure their home stays dry and warmer during the winter months. The house shields are reuasable and will last for several years.

Munir, 10, is a student in Nuseirat Refugee Camp who hopes to become an engineer. He received a backpack from MECA this year and his father told us "My son is very happy today that he got a new school bag. He used to go with an old bag that was falling apart. Today, he feels very happy and energetic."

Families receive food parcels

Sewing backpacks in Gaza factory

One of 2690 kids in Gaza receiving a new backpack

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