The situation in Palestine is unbearable for many. Gaza has been described as an “open-air prison”. Conditions in Gaza were dire even before the recent escalations in conflict, with occupation, blockade and recurring conflict causing deep poverty and suffering.
The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated places on Earth. It has a population of approximately 2.1 million people and since 2007 it has been under a land, sea and air blockade imposed by Israel. Ongoing power shortages impact essential services like health, water and sanitation leaving people desperate.
Islamic Relief has been working in Palestine since 1997, and your Palestine charity donations can help deliver vital humanitarian and development assistance.
Islamic Relief began working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 1997, providing life-saving emergency aid and crucial nutritional, educational and psychosocial support to families in the region.
Our teams are providing emergency medical assistance, bedding, food vouchers and other essential aid to displaced families and those most in need. A donation of £100 can provide emergency medical operations.
Islamic Relief is calling for international aid to support rebuilding damaged infrastructure, strengthening health and electricity networks and providing psychosocial support.
Since we have begun working in Palestine, we have been able to:
This is only possible with your ongoing support. Your generous donations are having a life-saving impact.
Image: Families purchasing food at a supermarket in Gaza using food vouchers provided by Islamic Relief
The blockade has sealed off Gaza from the rest of the world, crippling the economy and trapping residents – including a generation of young people who have no hope of prospects for development.
Fear and lack of hope for the future have become the norm among young people in Gaza. We call on all actors to ensure that the protection of Palestinian youth be made a primary consideration, and the reassertion of the principles of protection are derived from the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the International human rights law (IHRL). We call on all actors to ensure the need for safety and security for young people to cross borders to access livelihoods.
Mohammad, 17, Gaza
In a few months, I will be completing high school. I am afraid that I will not get good grades, or that I might not even be able to complete my studies.
I am one of the distinguished students, but I still need supplementary lessons in some subjects because the curriculum is difficult. However, our economic situation does not allow for this as my father cannot pay the fees for the supplementary lessons.
My dream is to graduate from university and specialise in social work, because I would like to help others, especially the young people.
Sometimes I feel despair and frustration, and I’m very worried about not being able to understand the lessons or get supplementary lessons.
What makes everything more difficult is that we are learning online because of the coronavirus pandemic. Not being in school means that I will not have the opportunity to ask teachers questions about things I do not understand.
Studying online has been very difficult for me because you need to have a laptop or mobile phone to follow the lessons, but we cannot afford these.
Even if I had those, I would need internet and electricity, but the electricity is often cut off. This is the case now after the bombing began.
We were supposed to do the final exams for the eleventh grade after the blessed month of Ramadan, but the bombing came, which lasted for 11 days. The situation was very difficult and like the rest of my family, I was very afraid.
It was difficult to concentrate on my studies when I heard explosions all around me.
I lost my cousin in the bombing. I feel a lot of sadness now, and I don’t know how I will continue my life without him. We used to play and were always going out together.
Many of my friends’ homes were destroyed during the bombing, and I always wonder how they will continue their education.
Although I dream of completing my education, what worries me the most is that when I graduate from university, I will not be able to find a job opportunity that will help me improve my family’s condition and help build my future. I am afraid that I will sit at home like thousands of other graduates right now.
HELP MOHAMMAD’S DREAM STAY ALIVE. DONATE TODAY.
Islamic Relief teams are providing emergency medical assistance, bedding, food vouchers and other essential aid to displaced families and those most in need. A donation of £100 can provide emergency medical operations.
Islamic Relief is calling for international aid to support rebuilding damaged infrastructure, strengthening health and electricity networks and providing psychosocial support.
A third of the people in Palestine live below the poverty line. Thousands of families are struggling with financial hardship. Your donations can provide Palestine with the help it needs. Donate now and help save Palestine.
Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Qur’an:
“Not a leaf falls but that He knows it.” [Al An’am, 6:59]
With your support Islamic Relief can help provide vital support to help rebuild Palestine in the most conflict-affected areas. Will you help them?
We’ve been working in Palestine since 1997 providing life-saving emergency aid and crucial nutritional, educational and psychosocial support to families in the region. Yet this is only possible with your ongoing support.
With your help, we can rebuild and save Palestine. Please donate today.