It was the first time in weeks that I could feed my children a warm, complete and nutritious meal that contains meat. They were so happy.
Fathia*, participant in the UMCOR/IOCC project, Central Gaza
ATLANTA – Current media reports about humanitarian relief in the Gaza give the impression that there are few relief organizations operating in the Gaza strip: the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is operated by Israeli military forces in the south out of Rafah in partnership with the U.S.; or the United Nations, which has been in Gaza providing basic necessities, education and health care services with Palestinian partners for many years.
But other agencies, particularly faith-based humanitarian organizations have diligently and quietly provided humanitarian relief – food, water, shelter and health care – in whatever corner of Gaza they find themselves. These agencies have worked in Gaza previously and have contacts within Palestinian communities. As Palestinians are forced to move repeatedly to avoid bombardment and violence, the faith groups move with them.
Humanitarian groups working in Gaza continue to call for peace in the Middle East, and the opening of humanitarian corridors to move relief supplies into Gaza on a scale that would meet the overwhelming need. Even so, they work with what they have.
