Children get involved with MCC partner in Gaza to feed the hungry

Schools in Gaza have been closed since November, so Qusai*, 12, and Judy*, 11, found themselves looking for something to do. They decided they would help Al-Najd organize and distribute food boxes for families in Gaza alongside their parents, who are staff at Al-Najd. They have self-appointed their positions and titles — Judy is the associate director and Qusai is the office manager. 

When asked about why she wanted to help, Judy said, “I’m happy to learn. I want to help people in this hard time until we go back home and build Gaza again.” Asked the same question, Qusai said, “I’ve been with my father visiting people in tents, I want to help.”

Food packages funded in part by Global Affairs Canada and the Humanitarian Coalition and distributed by MCC partners in Gaza continue to be a lifeline as famine-level food insecurity threatens the majority of the 2.2 million Palestinians who remain within the borders. The food packages that Judy, Qusai and the rest of Al-Najd’s team in Gaza are distributing are, for many Gazans, the only food they have access to. 

Amal Al-Durra lives with her four children and her sick parents in a tent in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Her family was displaced from their home in northern Gaza after Israeli military strikes. 

“The current situation is very difficult,” said Al-Durra. “We cannot find food because of the displacement, shelling and destruction of roads, and the [low] availability of some canned food and high-priced vegetables.”

She described the thrill of receiving one of MCC’s emergency food packages. “Our family was so very happy after receiving the food parcel because it contained a variety of food items. Finally, we can cook and not only eat canned food all the time.”

Faris Ghaban and his family fled to Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza after their home in Sheikh Radwan was bombed by the Israeli military. His sister and brother-in-law were killed in the strike, leaving behind their infant daughter. Clean water is only available to those who can buy it. Widespread food scarcity has led to most areas of Gaza experiencing famine. The living conditions have been very hard on Ghaban and his family. 

After receiving an emergency food parcel from MCC, he offered his thanks to everyone who was part of getting it there, saying this would make life bearable for his family for the next few weeks.

MCC continues to work with our partners on the ground to provide essential emergency relief to families in Gaza with the support of Global Affairs Canada and the Humanitarian Coalition.

*Full names have not been used for security purposes.

Top photo caption: Judy*, 11, and Qusai*, 12, volunteer with MCC's partner Al-Najd Developmental Forum organizing and distributing food boxes for families in Gaza alongside their parents, who are staff at Al-Najd.  (Al-Najd Developmental Forum photo/Bashar Al Arja)