Support the Vulnerable During Ramadan This Year

Help families break their fasts with hope and dignity

Contributions made to Anera for our Ramadan programs are focused on distributing food packages and food vouchers for the entire month for families who would otherwise go without.

Ramadan is a significant time for Muslims worldwide, representing the holiest month in Islam and the fourth pillar of the religion. During this month, families rely on two meals per day – iftar and suhoor – to sustain them through the fasting hours. These meals are essential to Ramadan observance and must be nutritionally rich enough to support daily fasting. 

However, conflict, restricted access to resources, limited economic opportunities, and poverty rates have deeply affected families across Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan this year. Brutal warfare and mass displacement has rendered it impossible for families to afford, or have access to, food for iftar and suhoor. For those with little or no income, the cost of providing nutritious meals is often out of reach, forcing families to rely on foods that fail to meet their nutritional needs, leading to fatigue, malnutrition, and overall poor health. As Ramadan approaches, Anera remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting families in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan during the holy month.

Palestine   

Anera will support vulnerable families across Palestine during the month of Ramadan. In the West Bank, families will receive food vouchers valued at $100, which will be used in the local market to purchase critically needed items. This amount should cover the basic needs of each family during the entire month of Ramadan. Vouchers are an incredibly effective means of assistance, as it maintains the dignity of individuals and allows families to select what is most needed for their households. Anera will prioritize assistance to families from Gaza who are stranded in the West Bank, families with female-headed households, those with members who have disabilities, and marginalized families with annual income below the minimum wage. 

In Gaza, the war, blockade, and insufficient entry of humanitarian aid has created a daily challenge in obtaining food for the over 1.9 million displaced civilians (85% of the entire population). Food costs have surged due to extreme scarcity. In the month of Ramadan, families in Gaza will receive fresh vegetable baskets including tomatoes, lemons, eggplants, peppers, onions, and potatoes. These baskets will alleviate some of the financial burden of purchasing fresh vegetables and fruits, and will provide individuals with some much needed diversity in their diets.

• $25 provides one family in Gaza with a fresh produce basket.
• $100 provides one family in the West Bank with a food voucher.

Lebanon

Following the ceasefire announcement in Lebanon on November 27, 2024, a majority of displaced people returned to their areas of origin. However, around 100,000 individuals remain displaced in already vulnerable areas: Beirut, Mt. Lebanon, North Lebanon and Akkar. These individuals are grappling with ongoing housing and food insecurity, disrupted public services, and restrictions in access. 

This Ramadan, displaced and vulnerable families in Lebanon will receive nutritionally balanced and culturally appropriate food parcels. Each food parcel is enough to feed a family of five for the entire month. As a result, families will be able to enjoy dignified evening iftars and cook the meals that make celebrating Ramadan as a family so special.

• $75 provides a family of five in Lebanon with a food parcel that will sustain them for the month.

Jordan

The unemployment rate in Jordan increased by seven percent in the second quarter of 2024, indicating that more refugees are actively seeking work. Many households have resorted to severe coping strategies to combat economic insecurity, such as taking out loans or withdrawing children from school. The winter months are difficult due to high food prices in the local markets, with local farmers having to work tirelessly to monitor their crops in unpredictable weather and with high transport costs.  

To combat rising food costs and to relieve financial stress during Ramadan, Anera aims to support vulnerable families in Jordan with food parcels and iftar (at sunset, fast-breaking) meals. In coordination with Tkiyet Um Ali (TUA), a leading regional nongovernmental organization dedicated to ending food poverty, Anera will deliver Ramadan food parcels across all 12 governorates of Jordan. The food parcels will contain 20 food commodities including rice, sugar, vegetable oil, tuna, lentils, and other essential items to help sustain a family of five through the month of Ramadan. The iftar meals, served in community centers in Amman, typically include rice, chicken or other meat, sauce, bread, fruit, and a dessert. These iftar meals will provide families with the opportunity to set aside any daily challenges and fully embrace the significance of this spiritual time.

• $7 provides one Iftar meal to a vulnerable individual in Jordan. 
• $82 provides a food parcel for a family of five in Jordan.

Your gift will ensure that families in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Jordan have a meal to share as they observe Ramadan under these difficult circumstances.

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