Helping Gaza Families through the cold with your support
By Maria Syed and Kat Grimmett
Thanks to your generosity, Rebuilding Alliance distributed winter relief packages to 1,068 families across Gaza to keep them warm during the harsh winter cold. A total of 7,664 individuals received warm training suits and shoes.
It all started when English teacher Maha reached out for help, sharing her family's difficulties in coping with the harsh conditions in their tent during the heavy rains. Rebuilding Alliance assisted Maha and her family purchase essential items such as blankets, shoes, and winter clothing, ensuring they stayed warm throughout the colder months. (Watch the video here)
Nearly the entire population of Gaza was living in tents and faced incredibly difficult conditions. As temperatures dropped, families living in these tents struggled to stay warm. They had left their homes without any belongings and could not afford to buy clothes to protect themselves from the cold.
Our Manager in Gaza found supplies with a trusted local vendor. Taking a leap of faith, Rebuilding Alliance purchased these supplies on credit, and with the help of our CBO partners, distributed them among 1,068 families in early December.
Each of the four CBO partners delivered winter supplies to 250 families, starting with the cooking teams and their families, and extending our efforts to the wider community.
Families with individuals who have disabilities, orphaned children, and widowed mothers, as well as those who have lost their breadwinners, were given priority.
We made sure that the shoes and clothes were the correct sizes, and we provided the families with the option to exchange any shoes that didn’t fit.
Among the beneficiaries of winter supplies were 58 families with children who suffer from Phenylketonuria (PKU), an inherited disorder that prevents the body from metabolizing an amino acid called phenylalanine. As a result, those affected must follow a low-protein diet. Rebuilding Alliance is supporting PKU children across Gaza by providing food parcels that contain fresh vegetables and fruits, helping them meet their nutritional requirements.
The families felt immense joy and gratitude when they received the parcel of warm clothing and shoes.
Kayed and his family of six received warm clothes and shoes. "We were so happy when they told me that the packages were coming," Kayed said. "Finally, someone thought of us, especially our children, with the harsh winter approaching. Everyone is living in tents, and just a few days ago, the weather was freezing. We used every blanket we had to keep the children warm, while the adults managed as best as we could until morning." Kayed expressed his gratitude, stating, "As soon as I get back to the tent, I’ll give each of my family members their clothes so they can feel warm and safe."
Amr, a 14-year-old boy living in Gaza, had been wearing the same pair of ripped jeans for a long period and struggled to stay warm. This changed when he received a parcel from Rebuilding Alliance. When he discovered that new pajamas were included in the winter clothing package, he hoped they would fit him well. He was overwhelmed with gratitude when he discovered that the pajamas fit perfectly, he thanked God for the warmth he had long been missing. Amr expressed his joy, saying, “I am very happy and warm.”
Youssef and his siblings received warm clothes and shoes. Youssef is 8 years old, and his siblings are Juma, who is 2.5 years old, Samia, who is 4 years old, and baby Salma, who is 6 months old. Their aunt brought the children to receive the clothing, as they have endured unimaginable loss. Just three months ago, their father was killed in Rafah while trying to retrieve their winter clothes from home. The family's displacement has left them with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and with soaring prices, they cannot afford to buy new ones. The children’s aunt shared her plans to return to their tent, bathe the children, and dress them in their warm, new outfits.
Mohammed, a cook in the main kitchen of the Women's Programme Center, our CBO partner, was extremely grateful to receive the clothes. Upon receiving the parcel, he dressed his two young children in the new clothes. Mohammed explained that most of the money they earn is spent on basic food, making new clothes a luxury due to high market prices.
Ms. Amani and her family received warm clothing and shoes from our team. Amani suffered a back injury in 2012 and is unable to move without a wheelchair. A mother of four, she was displaced from Rafah eight months ago and is currently living in a modest tent in Mawasi Khan Younis. She expressed relief, saying, "We were happy to learn that there are winter clothing packages available for both adults and children, especially since my children do not have warm clothes."
For these families, clothes mean more than just warmth, they symbolize hope and care during harsh and difficult times. Thank you!
Heartfelt Thanks from Gaza: Comfort and Relief through Winter