Gaza, an area struck by conflict and despair, is also a garden blooming against all odds. The soil may be dry, the air heavy, but with every act of compassion, LIFE is watering that garden, tending to the needs of its people, and giving them the chance to grow and thrive despite their circumstances.
Planting Seeds of Development for Decades
Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) has been working in Gaza for decades, providing support to inhabitants through various projects including clean water, food, and other daily essentials, as well as orphan sponsorships and education projects.
One year ago, the world witnessed destruction in the region at unprecedented levels. Unfortunately, the chaos that ensued has continued to today, leaving some of the oldest cities and cultures in the world in shambles and the populations in distress.
Currently, the situation in Gaza has escalated into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. As of October 2024, 42,500, people have lost their lives including nearly 16,765 children, more than 99,546 people have been injured, 10,000 are missing and 2.23 million people in Gaza now face urgent humanitarian needs, with basic services like food, medical care, and access to clean water becoming increasingly scarce.
A Rose Among Thorns
Although the rest of the world sees rubble, chaos, and cries for help, we see the potential and possibility of tomorrow. It has been 365 days of LIFE working in Gaza, rising to meet the ever-increasing need for aid. LIFE has implemented the following programs.
Watering the Garden
Water—something many of us take for granted—is one of the most critical needs in Gaza. For families that have been displaced and are living in overcrowded shelters, access to clean water can mean the difference between life and death. Over the past year, LIFE has provided 11.6 million liters of water—enough to sustain over half a million people. In addition, 23 washrooms were built in displacement camps to provide proper sanitation, benefiting entire communities.
Sharing Our Harvest
One of the reasons LIFE has been so successful working in Gaza is attributed to our ability to locate and distribute food, water, and shelter resources both inside and outside of Gaza. A total of 350,000 people have received 50-pound bags of flour, along with food baskets, fresh vegetables, and ready-to-eat meals, providing much-needed nourishment in a region where food scarcity has become a serious issue. We also distributed Udhiyah meat to 50,000 individuals, offering essential protein to help families through this difficult time.
Sheltering from the Elements
Most living creatures on Earth need some form of protection from the elements. It is difficult to sustain life without it. In Gaza, millions of people are still without shelter and appropriate clothing to protect them from summer and winter weather. LIFE saw this need and ensured that 7,000 people were sheltered in winterized tents and 55,000 people were supplied with winter clothes, blankets, and hygiene kits.
Lighting up the Darkness
In a region often left in darkness, both literally and metaphorically, the installation of solar panels has been incredibly impactful. LIFE’s Solar panels and tents have been distributed to more than 10,000 individuals, providing renewable energy sources so families can now cook, clean water, heat, run generators, and much more.
Nurturing Growth
LIFE has reached 3,500 children by providing educational tents, toys, and essential supplies like diapers, wipes, and formula. These efforts offer children some sense of normalcy despite the chaos that surrounds them.
A Garden of Gratitude
Perhaps the most moving aspect of LIFE’s work in Gaza is the gratitude that shines through. Families, volunteers, and children alike express their thanks not just for the physical aid, but for the dignity and hope that LIFE brings.
Thank you to everyone who made these projects possible. As the situation in Gaza is still a pressing global issue, we encourage all our donors to continue to support our ongoing projects in Gaza.
If you have not donated yet, it is not too late. Consider giving to our emergency Gaza relief fund today.
