Continuing Support for Evacuees in Gaza
This week, Peace Winds was able to speak to our two staff members in Gaza for the first time in a while. The first thing Samira told us was, “my parents, who are elderly and ill, are safe.” She had no cell service at home, so she had to go out to the street to call us. She referred to the scene around her as “a destruction that cannot be put into words.”
“I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to my husband or children,” added Samira. “I still have some food stored, and I’m taking advantage of the brief ceasefire to stock up on some things. I’ve been eating as little as possible, so I’ve lost 13 lbs.”
Even during the ceasefire, which has now ended, Samira had no time to take a breather. She and her husband have been busy stocking up on food and keeping their four children safe. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen as many areas run out of food and receive little to no aid.
Another staff member, Hadel, told Peace Winds, “I don’t want to go into detail, but there are bodies scattered all around my house.” Hadel’s house has been completely destroyed, and he says it’s covered in countless bulletholes. “I can’t believe I was in Japan just a few months ago,” he said. “I can’t believe I’ve survived.”
In November, Peace Winds worked with a representative of a special needs school in Gaza to provide meals for the evacuees who are sheltering there. About 19,000 people received food every day for more than two weeks. Large-scale air raids continued in the vicinity during that time, but we are grateful to the school staff and volunteers who stayed to prepare rice, beans, pasta, and stews for the evacuees in need.
Last month, Peace Winds also dispatched two staff members to Egypt to oversee the packing and shipment of food trucks from Rafah to Gaza. While communication and coordination of aid to the people of Gaza is difficult, Peace Winds will continue to do everything we can to aid those who are living through this unthinkable reality. We thank you for your continued support.
