Send Urgent Aid to Civil Society Groups in Gaza

Dear Friends,

We have sent the third portion of our emergency aid to the Atfaluna Society on March 27.  

Atfaluna's main office building in Gaza City has been destroyed in the military offensives.  Despite the immense challenges, Atfaluna has been operating nonstop out of their satellite offices in Deir Al-Balah (middle area) and Rafah (south), and providing humanitarian responses such as distribution of food aid and clothing, and operating a communal kitchen.  

Atfaluna will use our emergency aid this time for the psychosocial sessions to the most vulnerable among the displaced: persons with disabilities and children.  Under the ongoing bombings and humanitarian crisis, they often face an increased risk due to limited mobility, difficulties in accessing safe spaces, and a higher likelihood of injury.  

The emergency sessions will be provided to 1000 children and adults with and without disabilities.  The sessions will be structured and follow the inclusive emergency psychosocial guidelines, and the participants will learn about coping strategies and resilience-building techniques to better manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. These sessions aim to improve mental health and emotional well-being of children and adults, and create supportive environment where they can share their experiences and provide emotional support to each other. The beneficiaries will be assessed and identified by Atfaluna's case managers from the existing beneficiaries as well as external beneficiaries referred to Atfaluna from local partners and referral system.

Atfaluna will also distribute to the children psychosocial service kits, which will include items like coloring books, paints, clays, games, and balls.  The kit will help children cope with the emotional distress, provide a sense that their basic needs are being met despite the difficult situation, and address their emotional needs early on in order to help prevent long-term trauma and promote resilience.

Our other partner, Sulafa Embroidery Centre, has also lost their building in the bombings, and their staff and artisans are displaced after losing their homes.  The Sulafa staff have asked us to send the donations once the situation allows them to reach their beneficiaries.  

Our campaign target has been quadrupled since its launch in October, with donations from more than 800 people from around the world.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making possible the critical work in Gaza.

Links:

• Updates at the Atfaluna Society Facebook Page

Dear Friend,

We have sent the second portion of our emergency aid to the Atfaluna Society on November 19.

Atfaluna Society is among a handful of local organizations that are engaged in the activities to support the displaced families. Their staff, who themselves are displaced and sheltering in the middle area and the south of the Gaza Strip, have been distributing food, medical supplies, and warm clothing and blankets as the winter approaches.

In the text messages that confirmed receiving of our donation, they told us:

"We use the donation for psychological support activities because it is very important these days.

We hold psychological relief sessions for children at the shelters for the displaced, such as the UNRWA schools and community organizations that have turned to shelters, like the Nuseriat Programs Association.

We also run sessions to provide primary psychological support for mothers and girls who have been exposed to psychological trauma.

Right now, we are in need of winter clothes in a large quantity.”

The donation to Sulafa Embroidery Center is also ready, and we plan to send it when they are able to receive and distribute it. We continue to stay in touch with a few of their staff members, whose homes were destroyed and are sheltering in the south.

Our fundraising goal has been tripled to $60,000 since it was launched on October 14.  We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to you and more than 500 people from around the world for their generosity.

Please continue to share this campaign widely, and support the critical work of the people who uplift and care for each other during this catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Links:

• Updates from the Atfaluna Society on their Facebook page