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Together we can care: The Islamic Relief USA support factor

17 April 2015

Islamic Relief USA (IR USA) has supported the Palestine refugees of the Gaza Strip since 2008, providing UNRWA with the funds necessary to run life-saving basic services and invest in long-term development projects.

Both humanitarian aid and longer term development investment continues to be needed by many refugees in Gaza. The ongoing blockade and restrictions on the movement of people and goods is the main cause of deepening poverty and the primary obstacle to economic development in the Gaza Strip, entrenching ‘de-development’ and creating an on-going and complex humanitarian situation. The eight-year blockade is combined with the results of the summer hostilities, leaving many living in a humanitarian emergency, enduring the consequences for the third conflict in less than six years.

The scale of damage and destruction as a result of the 50-day conflict in 2014 exacerbated the pre-existing humanitarian situation in Gaza. During the summer hostilities, Gaza witnessed extensive aerial bombardment, naval shelling and artillery fire, as well as a substantial operation by ground forces which resulted in the widespread loss of life and livelihoods and extensive damage to the already weak public infrastructure, including schools.

IR USA has contributed US$ 12.6 million to Palestine refugees in Gaza through UNRWA since 2013.

IRUSA and UNRWA are working together to alleviate alarming levels of food insecurity by distributing food packages to over 868,000 Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip on a quarterly basis. Here, a teenager collects cooking oil from the UNRWA food distribution centre in Jabalia Camp. Photo: © 2014 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanHandling of emergency food distribution is often the responsibility of mothers who carefully ration the amounts of rice, flour, milk, cooking oil and canned meat among family members on a daily basis. Here, an UNRWA food distribution worker ensures each emergency food parcel provided has been packed accordingly. © 2014 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanLife continues to be tough for too many people in Gaza. The last conflict took a heavy toll on the livelihoods of Gazan households, whose food insecurity levels can only be expected to further increase. One beneficiary is seen here resting, whilst waiting for her emergency food package. © 2014 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanStandard UNRWA emergency food packages contain 30 kilograms of rice and flour per person. Here, flour is being carried into the Beach Camp distribution centre. © 2014 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanAn estimated 57 per cent of households were classified as food insecure according to the UNRWA poverty assessment prior to the conflict. As a result of damages in the agricultural sector - estimated at US$ 450 million by the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture - loss of harvest has meant fewer products available on the market and consequent difficulties for poor households to access fresh produce. This refugee says she relies exclusively on food distributed from UNRWA. © 2014 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanWith IRUSA funding, UNRWA contributes to the right of Palestine refugees to live a dignified life by providing access to vital care and specialized support. Here, UNRWA school children in Gaza City drink milk donated by UNRWA before starting morning classes. © 2013 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanWith IRUSA support, UNRWA provided Palestine refugee school children with snacks during their learning day in 2012/2013 to help ensure young minds are able to focus whilst studying. © 2013 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanThrough the distribution of live sheep for the annual Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha, 3,285 families with 11 or more family members and living on less than US$ 1.5 per person per day were able to observe the traditional feast celebrations. In daily life, these families are rarely able to afford to have meat in their diet. © 2014 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanThrough the distribution of live sheep for the annual Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha, 3,285 families with 11 or more family members and living on less than US$ 1.5 per person per day were able to observe the traditional feast celebrations. In daily life, these families are rarely able to afford to have meat in their diet. © 2014 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanFamilies staying in an UNRWA-designated emergency shelters received essential emergency non-food items such as mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits. © 2014 UNRWA photo by Shareef SarhanUNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl met with IR USA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Anwar Ahmed Khan on March 17, 2015 to thank IR USA for its recent contributions in response to the summer 2014 hostilities, totaling US$3 million. The meeting took place at the UNRWA Representative Office in Washington, D.C. March, 2015. © 2015 UNRWA photo by Sarah Lord

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