Gaza and West Bank Response Log | February 2024

More than 100 Palestinians were killed and around 700 others injured when Israeli troops fired upon hundreds of civilians waiting for humanitarian food aid in Gaza City. This horrific event unfolds as the besieged enclave grapples with deliberate starvation.

Crowds had gathered on Al Rashid Street, anticipating the arrival of humanitarian aid trucks carrying flour. Israeli troops then opened fire, causing mass panic and resulting in many casualties, either through gunfire or in the ensuing chaos.

Verified footage by Al Jazeera showed numerous casualties being loaded onto trucks, as ambulances were unable to reach the area. A witness speaking to Al Jazeera recounted, “We went to get flour. The Israeli army shot at us. Many are dead, and we are still retrieving them. There is no medical assistance available.”

News reports also indicate that Israeli tanks advanced after the gunfire, running over many of the deceased and injured individuals.

The international community must urgently intervene to halt these egregious human rights violations against innocent civilians seeking humanitarian aid. There is no justification for such violence.

Today, only two of our six tekias were operational due to supply shortages and the blocking of humanitarian aid. In Khan Younis, our tekia served 7,500 savory cheese pies, while the one in the middle area provided hot meals for 9,000 people along with 6,300 servings of bread. Additionally, our kitchen in Jabalia in the north distributed potato stew to 20,000 people. As part of our food interventions, we also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets. Overall, we supplied 86,969 meals today, including hot meals, bread, and fresh produce.

Three trucks from GEM arrived at our distribution center today. Two carried water, while the third transported a mix of rice, beans, wipes, and LifeStraw — a portable water filtration device designed to provide clean and safe drinking water in areas with limited access. Furthermore, we distributed 500 blankets from Project Hope to displaced individuals in Mawasi-Rafah and informal shelters near Rafah City.

Under the UN OCHA WASH project, we have installed 22 water tanks in the Al Mawasi area in Rafah. This area, housing many displaced people in makeshift tents, now receives a daily supply of 60,000 liters of water, benefiting 20,000 individuals. Each water tank was strategically placed to ensure that each person receives 3 liters of potable water per day.

Our ongoing healthcare initiatives for displaced families in Gaza persist, exemplified by today’s provision of two free health days. Notably, we achieved a significant milestone by expanding our medical services with the addition of an endocrinologist to our medical team.

Six out of Anera’s seven tekias (community kitchens) were in operation today, making a total of 105,300 meal servings.

• Qatari Camp tekia in Rafah: 34,500 hot meals
• Rafah Crossing tekia: 13,500 hot meals
• UN log base tekia in Rafah: 16,500 hot meals
• Middle area tekia: 10,000 hot meals, 6,300 fresh flatbreads
• Mawasi, Khan Younis tekia: 4,500 hot meals
• Jabalia tekia: 20,000 hot meals

Anera’s Gaza team also distributed 2,225 blankets and 100 mattresses from Project Hope to displaced people in Khan Younis and Rafah.

Later in the day yesterday, our staff in Gaza successfully delivered food aid to displaced people in Gaza City. Two trucks of aid donated by GEM included 580 10-kilogram bags of macaroni, 400 five-liter bottles of cooking oil, 81 50-kilogram bags of flour, and 3,168 1.5-liter bottles of water.

Today, we provided 132,969 meals in Gaza, including hot meals, bread and fresh produce. Five of our six community kitchens under our Tekia program were operational. Our tekia near the Qatari Camp provided 34,500 hot meals; the Rafah crossing kitchen cooked 13,500 meals; the tekia at the UN logistics base in Rafah served meals to 16,500 people; our middle area kitchen catered to 10,000 people and baked 6,300 loaves of bread; and our tekia in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis prepared 4,500 meals. Also, our kitchen in Jabalia in the north distributed potato stew to 20,000 people. We also distributed 1,000 fresh produce baskets to the middle area and Rafah, providing produce for 42,900 meals.

We also distributed 23,256 1.5-liter water bottles to displaced people in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis and Rafah. And we provided 50 mattresses donated by Project HOPE to individuals residing in informal shelters within Rafah.

Anera again hosted two field health clinic days today. At yesterday’s clinic sessions our team took blood pressure readings for a number of patients and found hypertension in an alarming number of people with no previous diagnosis or history of the condition.

Also today, we received a total of eight trucks – six transporting blankets donated by Project HOPE and two carrying flour, diapers, sanitary pads, and wipes. The food items were provided by Global Empowerment Mission and other materials were donated by Project HOPE.

Five of our six tekias (community kitchens) were in operation today, delivering 34,500 hot meals from the Qatari tekia, 13,500 meals from the Rafah crossing tekia, 16,500 meals from the UN log base tekia in Rafah, 10,800 meals and 3,600 flatbreads from the middle area tekia and, from our newest tekia in Mawasi, Khan Younis, 9,000 meals. Additionally, our kitchen in Jabalia distributed a meal consisting of potato and tomato sauce with a side of rice to 20,000 people.

In conjunction with food distribution efforts, our Gaza team distributed 1,300 fresh produce baskets, providing a total of 42,900 meals to families in need. In total, Anera provided 147,754 meals today, encompassing hot meals, bread, and fresh produce.

Anera received three trucks at our distribution center carrying various essential items, including menstrual pads, wipes, diapers, and blankets from Project Hope, along with flour from GEM. Our team distributed 100 mattresses from Project Hope to individuals residing in tent shelters within Rafah. And, with support from Muslim Aid, Anera finalized the distribution of 1,100 winter clothes to 200 families in the north.

Anera’s health team in Gaza implemented two free healthcare days in Mawasi, Khan Younis, focusing on promoting health and wellbeing among the community.

And, finally, both crossings into Gaza were open today, facilitating aid transport. Anera now has 12 trucks in the Gaza customs yard, primarily transporting water, flour, and blankets.

Anera’s Gaza team coordinated the distribution of 157,400 meals today in the form of hot food, fresh bread, fruits and vegetables. Our six tekias (community kitchens) in Rafah, Khan Younis and the middle area made 100,400 hot meals. At our middle area tekia our teams also made 3,600 flatbreads. Anera continued supplying a kitchen in Jabalia, in the north of Gaza, with food to make potato stew for 20,000 people. Our team also distributed enough fresh produce from Gaza farms to make 33,000 meal servings.

Our Gaza colleagues additionally distributed 4,800 1.5-liter water bottles to informal shelters in Rafah. The water was provided by our partner GEM. And the team provided 150 mattresses from our partner Project Hope to displaced families residing in tents Rafah.

Today, we distributed a total of 168,500 meals, including both hot meals and fresh produce for preparing meals. All of our six community kitchens under our Tekia program were operational, and they prepared a variety of meals, including green beans with tomato sauce and rice, lentil soup, and macaroni. The tekia near the Qatari Camp provided 34,500 hot meals, the Rafah crossing tekia cooked 13,500 meals, the tekia at the UN logistics base in Rafah served meals to 16,500 people, the middle area tekia catered to 9,000 people and also baked 4,500 loaves of bread; the first Khan Younis tekia contributed 16,500 meals, and the tekia in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis prepared 9,000 meals. Our kitchen in Jabalia in the north distributed a meal consisting of potatoes and tomato sauce with rice to 20,000 people. We also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets.

Additionally, today we distributed 300 mattresses donated by Project HOPE to informal shelters in Rafah and Al Mawasi, Khan Younis.

Today we have so far received seven trucks loaded with water bottles donated by Global Empowerment Mission. Our Gaza team plan to deliver and distribute them directly to informal shelters in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis. We expect to soon receive another four trucks of bottled water.

Today, all of our six tekias (community kitchens) were operational. They prepared a variety of meals, including green beans with tomato sauce and rice, lentil soup, and macaroni. The tekia near the Qatari Camp provided 34,500 hot meals, the Rafah crossing tekia cooked 13,500, the one at the UN log base in Rafah served 16,500 meals, the middle area tekia catered to 9,000 people and also baked 4,500 flatbreads, the Khan Younis tekia distributed 16,500 meals, and our newest tekia in Mawasi, Khan Younis prepared 9,000 meals. Our kitchen in Jabalia in the north distributed meals consisting of potato and tomato sauce with rice to 20,000 people. Anera distributed a total of 119,000 hot meals today.

We received five trucks, two carrying mattresses from Project Hope and three carrying water bottles from GEM.

Additionally, we distributed non-food items supplied by UNICEF, which included 300 packs of diapers, and 300 Project Hope mattresses to informal shelters in Rafah.

Today, all six of our tekias (community kitchens) were fully operational across Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza’s middle area. They diligently prepared a diverse array of meals, ranging from green beans with tomato sauce and rice to lentil soup and macaroni. Notably, our tekia in the middle area was able to bake 4,500 loaves of bread. Additionally, our kitchen in Jabalia in the north provided meals consisting of potato and tomato sauce with rice to 20,000 individuals.

In tandem with our food initiatives, we distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets — 500 each to Rafah, Khan Younis, and the middle area. Altogether, our efforts culminated in the provision of 168,500 meals today, encompassing both hot meals and fresh produce.

Furthermore, Anera’s Gaza staff facilitated two health days in the vicinity of our Tekias in Rafah, providing free medical checks and medicine for displaced families.

Today, we received a total of 11 trucks at our warehouse. Eight of these trucks were loaded with mattresses, while one truck transported flour, another carried pasta, and the remaining one was filled with a mixture of water and flour. Notably, five of the trucks laden with mattresses were generously provided by Project Hope, aiding in the transportation of 1,008 mattresses to individuals facing significant needs.

In addition to food provisions, we distributed essential non-food items provided by UNICEF. This included 2,600 packs of diapers, which were allocated to informal shelters in Rafah and Mawasi-Khan Younis, addressing critical needs beyond sustenance.

Delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza faces escalating challenges. Over the past two weeks, the flow of supplies into Gaza has ground to a halt, with aid trucks barred from entry due to Israeli ground and air operations in Rafah. This blockade has hindered the delivery of essential cooking ingredients and supplies to our Takias. Consequently, some of our Takias may need to suspend operations in the coming days. It is imperative that aid be permitted to enter Gaza without restrictions, accompanied by assurances of safety for humanitarian aid workers, supplies, and civilians in need of assistance amid hostilities. Innocent people are starving.

Today, only five of our Tekias were operational across Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza’s middle area, offering a variety of hot meals such as green beans with tomato sauce and rice, lentil soup, and macaroni. Unfortunately, our newest Tekia in Mawasi-Khan Younis was unable to prepare meals due to insufficient supplies. However, our kitchen in Jabalia in the north successfully distributed a meal consisting of potato and tomato sauce with rice to 20,000 people. In addition, as part of our food interventions, we distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets, allocating 500 each to Rafah, Khan Younis, and the middle area. Overall, we provided a total of 159,500 meals today, including both hot meals and fresh produce.

Furthermore, we distributed non-food items provided by UNICEF, including 1,500 diaper packs to informal shelters in Rafah and 48 cartons of menstrual pads (each containing 12 packs) to Rafah crossing camp.

Anera also conducted two health days today, catering to approximately 700 tents/families in Mawasi-Khan Younis.

Today, Anera again provided 161,300 meals across Gaza, including both hot meals and fresh produce for meal preparation. All of our kitchens were operating and distributing meals in the same locations detailed yesterday.

With support from Humanity First, we hosted two field health clinics today in Khan Younis.

We also distributed 3,000 packs of diapers today at informal shelters for the displaced in Rafah and Khan Younis. This distribution was made possible because, in addition to the two trucks mentioned in our update yesterday, last night we received one additional truck with more diapers from UNICEF.

We provided 161,300 meals today, including both hot meals and fresh produce. The six community kitchens comprising our Tekia program were all operating. The kitchen near the Qatari Camp served 34,500 hot meals; the Rafah crossing tekia cooked 13,500 meals; our kitchen at the UN logistics base in Rafah served 16,500 people; the middle area tekia served 6,000 people; our Khan Younis kitchen contributed 16,500 meals, and our tekia in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis supplied 4,800 meals. Additionally, our kitchen in Jabalia in the north distributed cooked rice to 20,000 people. We also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets in Rafah, Khan Younis, and the middle area, supplying ingredients to prepare 49,500 meals.

Today, we’ve received two UNICEF trucks carrying diapers and menstrual pads. In Gaza, the simple act of changing a diaper has become a luxury due to the soaring prices of essential supplies. The cost of a pack of diapers has seen a significant increase, posing a considerable challenge for parents with young children. Before the war, a pack of diapers ranged from $3.50 to $4.50, but currently, they are being sold at $54. This inflated price makes it impossible for displaced parents without income to afford diapers or fulfill even basic necessities for their children.

Given the shortages, some parents are using cloth as diapers, which requires water for washing, a resource that is also scarce. Others are resorting to reusing diapers by taping them together which causes rashes and infections. Parents who cannot find diapers or alternatives are coping by changing their children’s clothes frequently and washing them when and if water is available.

Logistical challenges hindering the importation of aid into Gaza continue. Recent Israeli military strikes on Palestinian police officers escorting aid convoys have forced a halt to truck movements. To allow for the resumption of aid convoys, assurances must be urgently provided that no further airstrikes will be conducted on the crossings.

We provided 156,300 meals today, including both hot meals and fresh produce. All six of our tekias served hot meals today: the community kitchen near the Qatari Camp served 34,500 hot meals; the Rafah crossing tekia cooked 13,500 meals; the kitchen at the UN logistics base in Rafah provided meals for 16,500 people; the middle area tekia served 6,000 people; the Khan Younis tekia contributed 16,500 meals; and our tekia in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis served 4,800 meals. Additionally, our kitchen in Jabalia in the north distributed cooked rice to 15,000 people. We also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets in Rafah, Khan Younis, and the middle area providing ingredients to prepare 49,500 meals.

We have not yet received any supplies at the distribution center for a number of days due to the closure of the inspection point in Israel last week. Currently, there is a significant backlog of over 1,200 trucks awaiting entry. The majority of our trucks carrying essential aid are now stationed at the Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) inspection point, awaiting clearance to cross. Unfortunately, this process may take a few days to complete.

Despite the logistical challenges that we are actively working through, our aid delivery continues. We provided 156,300 meals today, including both hot meals and fresh produce. Today, the six community kitchens that form our Tekia program were able to deliver hot meals. The tekia near the Qatari Camp produced 34,500 hot meals; the Rafah crossing kitchen cooked 13,500 meals; the tekia at the UN logistics base in Rafah prepared meals for 16,500 people; the middle area kitchen served 6,000 people; the Khan Younis tekia contributed 16,500 meals; and our newest kitchen in Mawasi, Khan Younis supplied 4,800 meals. Additionally, our kitchen in Jabalia in the north distributed a rice meal to at least 15,000 people. We also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets to Rafah, Khan Younis, and the middle area with ingredients to prepare 49,500 meals.

As the situation in Rafah worsens, humanitarian aid trucks at the Egypt-Gaza border have come to a stand-still. Ongoing security challenges, exacerbated by Israeli military operations, hinder the delivery of essential aid. With people in Gaza growing increasingly desperate for food and water, the need for immediate assistance is critical.

Despite these challenges, Anera is actively working to overcome obstacles. Currently, two of our trucks at the Egypt-Gaza border are in the process of crossing, while an additional four trucks are patiently waiting in queue for clearance. Additionally, there are five trucks awaiting entry into the queue. All of these trucks are slated to deliver vital supplies to our warehouse, where they will be distributed to those in urgent need.

Today, our six Tekias in Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza’s middle area prepared a variety of meals, including spaghetti, lentil soup, lentils and rice, as well as green and white beans served with rice. Additionally, our kitchen in Jabalia in the north distributed rice meals to 20,000 people. Through our food interventions, we distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets, with 500 allocated each to Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza’s middle area. In total, we provided 161,300 meals today, comprising both hot meals and fresh produce.

Our nutritionist documented the pre-war weights of internally displaced people (IDPs) and compared them with their current weights, revealing that 100% of those served experienced a decrease in body weight, with an average reduction of 11%.

Furthermore, our Gaza staff distributed 125 UNICEF boxes filled with winter clothes in Al Mawasi-Khan Younis, with each box sufficient for a family of six.

Yesterday, we successfully organized two free health days in Al Mawasi-Khan Younis, assisting 600 individuals during this intervention.

As a result of the turmoil caused by Israel’s military operations in and around Rafah, humanitarian aid trucks have been halted at the Egypt-Gaza border. Regrettably, due to this disruption, Anera did not receive any trucks in Gaza today.

Despite this reality, today, our six Tekias (community kitchens) diligently prepared a variety of meals, including spaghetti, lentil soup, lentils and rice, sweet potatoes, as well as green and white beans served with rice across Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza’s middle area. Additionally, our kitchen in Jabalia, located in the north, distributed rice meals to 15,000 individuals. As part of our food aid interventions, we also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets to communities in Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza’s middle area. In total, we provided 153,000 meals today, encompassing both hot meals and fresh produce.

Furthermore, our dedicated Gaza staff successfully distributed 300 UNICEF boxes filled with winter clothing in Rafah, with each box equipped to support a family of six.

In parallel, our psychosocial support activities were conducted today at Kuwait School in Rafah, engaging 170 children. Among them were 87 boys and 83 girls, with six children coping with war-related injuries, nine with disabilities, and seven who tragically lost family members.

The situation in Rafah continues to worsen, as over one million people find themselves trapped between the looming threat of an Israeli ground operation and relentless bombings. The vast majority have been displaced multiple times and have nowhere else to seek refuge. Everyone is terrified of what will come.

Our teams in the West Bank, Egypt, and Jordan are steadfastly providing logistical support and procuring humanitarian aid for our colleagues in Gaza. Despite facing cumbersome and illogical routes imposed on humanitarian aid, trucks persist in making their way to Gaza. Four trucks loaded with tents, mattresses, and miscellaneous goods, along with 20 water trucks, are currently en route. Among them, an additional 17 trucks are transporting mattresses, food supplies, blankets, and essential hygiene products to Gaza.

Today, our distribution center in Gaza received two UNICEF trucks loaded with winter clothes, each sufficient for a family of six. Thankfully, our dedicated team in Gaza promptly commenced the distribution of warm clothing and hygiene kits to families still sheltering in the north. A total of 150 UNICEF boxes, each containing winter clothes for a family of six, were successfully distributed.

Additionally, our six Tekias (community kitchens) across Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza’s middle area prepared a variety of meals, ranging from spaghetti to lentil soup, and green and white beans served with rice. Our kitchen in Jabalia, located in the north, distributed rice meals to 15,000 people. Fresh produce baskets were also distributed to displaced families in Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza’s middle area. Overall, our Gaza staff provided 151,500 meals today, encompassing both hot meals and fresh produce, as part of our ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Our psychosocial support activities in Rafah engaged 149 children, including 78 boys and 71 girls. Among them were seven children with war-related injuries, six with disabilities, and six who have tragically lost family members.

A report from our staff in Gaza: The dire circumstances in Rafah and northern Gaza continue to worsen daily. Reports from the north paint a grim picture of widespread starvation, including the deaths of children due to hunger. In Rafah, pressure mounts to relocate to Deir Al Balah, but logistical challenges hinder any meaningful movement.

Bombings persist in the south, prompting our staff to remain poised to move swiftly if the situation gets too dangerous.

The flow of essential supplies remains severely restricted, with only around 50 trucks entering Gaza daily over the past few days – far below what is needed.

Anera’s three tekias (community kitchens) in Rafah, two in Khan Younis and one in the middle area served 81,000 displaced people hot meals. The team provided food to a kitchen in Jabalia, in the north, which served 15,000 people a rice meal. Anera also distributed enough fresh produce in Rafah, Khan Younis and the middle area to make 49,500 meal servings. In total, Anera’s Gaza team provided 151,500 meals today, including both hot meals and fresh produce.

We also distributed 80 UNICEF tarps for tents at informal shelters in Rafah.

Despite the ongoing bombings in the Khan Younis, the Gaza health team successfully coordinated two free healthcare events today, benefitting 480 displaced people. In an expansion of our services, we have incorporated a new specialization into our team. A nutritionist is on hand to assess people’s weight and also to provide guidance to women with malnourished children on preparing healthy meals for their families using the food items they have already received through humanitarian aid.

We received another four trucks from UNICEF today and also hosted a psychosocial event for children at a Rafah shelter.

“An escalation of the fighting in Rafah, which is already straining under the extraordinary number of people who have been displaced from other parts of Gaza, will mark another devastating turn in a war that has reportedly killed over 27,000 people – most of them women and children. Thousands more could die in the violence or by lack of essential services, and further disruption of humanitarian assistance.”

— Catherine Russell, UNICEF

We provided 151,500 meals today, including both hot meals and fresh produce. All six of our Tekia program’s community kitchens were operating today. Our kitchen near the Qatari Camp made 33,000 hot meals, and the one at the Rafah crossing cooked 12,000 meals. The tekia at the UN logistics base in Rafah provided meals for 18,000 people; the tekia in the middle area served 6,000 people; the kitchen in Khan Younis provided 12,000 meals; and our new Tekia in Mawasi Khan Younis provided 6,000 meals. In northern Gaza, our kitchen in Jabalia provided 15,000 people with a rice meal. We also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets today in Rafah, Khan Younis, and the middle area, providing ingredients to make 49,500 meals.

We distributed 40 boxes of warm winter clothes and 200 tarps for tents today at informal shelters in Rafah and Khan Younis. These items were provided by UNICEF. We have also begun distributing winter clothes and hygiene kits in the north (details to come). We also held two field health clinic days today in Rafah, in the Musabeh area (more details tomorrow).

We conducted a previously unreported psychosocial support activity session on Thursday (for 206 children) and two more sessions today (involving 194 children at Beer Sabi School and 193 children at Shafa Amro School).

Exciting news: our Gaza team opened up Anera’s 6th tekia (community kitchen). It’s in Mawasi, Khan Younis. Now two kitchens are located in Khan Younis, three are in Rafah and on is in the middle area. This expansion is important in Khan Younis, because it is in a densely populated area with a large number of displaced people. The demand for Anera’s tekias is very high and we intend to open more.

In total our community kitchens served hot meals to 81,000 displaced people. We also provided food for a kitchen in Jabalia, in the north, serving 20,000.

We also distributed UNICEF non-food items including 50 hygiene kits that have enough supplies for a family of six, and 100 boxes filled with warm winter clothes at informal shelters in Rafah.

Our five tekias – community kitchens – made hot meals today in the form of green beans, lentils soup, rice, lentils, and macaroni. The three in Rafah served 57,000 people, the one in the middle area served 6,000, and the one in Khan Younis provided 12,000 servings. We also supported a kitchen in Jabalia in the north, serving 15,000 people with a rice meal. The team also distributed enough fresh produce in Rafah, Khan Younis, and the middle area to make 49,500 meal servings. In total, Anera provided 139,500 meal servings today.

The Gaza team also distributed UNICEF items, including 150 boxes filled with warm winter clothes, 250 hygiene kits, and 250 tarps for tents at informal shelters in Rafah and Khan Younis.

We received three UNICEF trucks between last night and today carrying winter clothes, hygiene kits, and medical supplies.

Psychosocial activities took place at a school in Rafah, engaging 165 children in sports and storytelling sessions.

Today, we served or delivered 139,500 meals, including both hot meals and fresh produce. All five of our community kitchens through our Tekia program operated today, preparing meals that included green beans, white beans, lentils soup, rice and lentils and macaroni. Our community kitchen near the Qatari Camp prepared 30,000 hot meals; the one at the Rafah crossing cooked 12,000 meals; the tekia at the UN logistics base in Rafah served meals for 15,000 individuals; and the kitchen in the middle area served 6,000 people. Today, we were also able to restart our Khan Younis tekia and serve 12,000 meals. The new kitchen is located near the previous one but in a safer location, allowing us to continue providing hot meals to the people in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis.

We continue to extend our distributions of hot rice meals in Jabalia, in the north. Rice is the only ingredient we can obtain in the area at the moment as no food from the aid operations in the south is able to reach the north. We provided 15,000 people with a rice meal today. Along with our hot meal distributions, we also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets today in Rafah, Khan Younis and the middle area, supplying ingredients to make 49,500 meals.

We also distributed aid provided by UNICEF today at informal shelters in Al Mawasi (both the Rafah and Khan Younis sides), including 200 boxes of warm winter clothes, 250 hygiene kits, 70 boxes of soap (48 bars per box), 100 boxes of menstrual pads (with 12 packages per box), 270 blankets and 300 tarps for tents.

Anera’s four community kitchens (tekias) in Rafah prepared a variety of dishes, serving a total of 63,000 people. In Jabalia, Anera provided 15,000 people with an onion and spice rice meal. The team also distributed enough fresh produce to make 49,500 meal servings in the middle area, Khan Younis, and Rafah. In total, Anera provided 127,500 meal servings today.

We also continue to distribute winter items provided by UNICEF. Today, the team delivered 300 boxes filled with warm winter clothes to protect children from the harsh weather conditions as well as 600 blankets and 800 tarps for tents at informal shelters in the Mawasi area of Rafah and Khan Younis.

At a Rafah shelter, our psychosocial activities today engaged 112 children in storytelling, parachute exercises, counseling, interactive games and sports, music, and singing.

Some 1.4 million people are now crammed into Rafah, Gaza’s smallest governorate, and they now face increased attacks from Israeli forces. Learn more about Gaza’s geography, read “How big is Gaza?“.

Anera’s four tekias (community kitchens) prepared different dishes that included a mix of green beans, lentils soup, rice and lentils and macaroni meals. Three tekias in Rafah served 57,000 people and the one in the middle area served 6,000. At our tekia at the UN log base in Rafah, the team was able to bake 4,500 flatbreads. We also continue to extend our reach in Jabalia in the north, where we provided 15,000 people with an onion and spice rice meal today. Unfortunately, rice is all that is available currently in the north right now.

In addition to hot meals, the team also coordinated distribution of enough fresh produce to make 49,500 meal servings in the middle area, Khan Younis and Rafah.

Anera provided total of 127,500 meal servings today.

We also continued distributing winter clothes provided by UNICEF: 100 boxes filled with warm winter clothes for children went out to families in Rafah. And the team distributed 100 tarps for tents at informal shelters in Khan Younis and Rafah.

At a Rafah shelter, our psychosocial activities today engaged 138 children in storytelling, parachute exercises, counseling, interactive games and sports, music, and singing.

Today we distributed a total of 127,500 meals, including both hot meals and fresh produce. Through our Tekia program, our community kitchen near the Qatari Camp prepared 30,000 hot meals; the kitchen at the Rafah crossing cooked 12,000 meals of green beans and lentil soup; the tekia at the UN logistics base in Rafah served macaroni and lentil soup for 15,000 individuals; and our kitchen in the middle area served lentil soup, rice, and lentil meals to 6,000 people. In northern Gaza, we served 15,000 people today with a rice meal in Jabalia. We also distributed 1,500 fresh produce baskets today to Rafah, Khan Younis and the middle area, providing ingredients for a total of 49,500 meals.

As temperatures continue to drop and the rainfall persists in Gaza, we are intensifying our efforts to secure shelter for people by distributing winterization items provided by UNICEF. Today, this involved providing 300 boxes of winter clothes for children to families. This clothing includes boots, jackets, scarves, hats, warm winter underclothes, sweaters, pants, and more in a full range of sizes for infants to teenagers. We also distributed 300 blankets and 600 tarps for tents, offering protection for 600 families living in tents from the rain. We distributed these items at an informal shelter in Al Mawasi, in Rafah.

Today, we hosted psychosocial support activities at a school shelter in Rafah, engaging a total of 157 children. The activities included interactive games, physical sports and exercises, storytelling, parachute games, as well as consultations for parents.

Our health team in Gaza also conducted two free field clinics near an informal settlement of displaced families today. They were able to treat 468 people with medical advice and healthcare supplies.

Anera is delivering food to displaced, hungry families in Gaza through community kitchens we’re calling tekia (takiat, takiyya, tkiya), based on a beautifully simple concept that began almost 10 centuries ago. These centers flourished during the Ottoman era. The Ottomans established community kitchens, housed in buildings for the purpose, throughout the empire from the 14th through 19th centuries. They provided free food to everyone, rich and poor. Learn more.

Our tekia near the Qatari Camp served 30,000 hot meals, our Rafah crossing tekia served 12,000 meals, the one at the UN log base served 15,000 and, in the middle area, our tekia served 6,000 people. The Anera team also supported a kitchen in Jabalia to serve 10,000 people. At one of the kitchens today, chefs were able to make rice pudding, a very special treat. Today, the Gaza team provided a total of 73,000 hot meal servings.

We also distributed 150 tarps for tents, enough to shield 600 families/tents from the rain.

Today, three community kitchens efficiently prepared meals to address pressing needs, with one Tekia serving 30,000 people near the Qatari Camp, another providing meals for 12,000 at Rafah crossing, and the third catering to 15,000 at the UN log base in Rafah.

Despite formidable challenges in Jabalia, Anera has launched hot meal distribution, delivering rice meals to 10,000 people in North Gaza. Additionally, 1,500 fresh produce baskets were distributed to further support the community.

These combined efforts resulted in the provision of 122,500 meals today, encompassing both nourishing hot meals and fresh produce.

To improve living conditions for those in need, seven trucks from UNICEF arrived, carrying winter clothes and tarps.

The health team implemented two free health days in Rafah near the Kerem Shalom crossing, covering an area that houses 400 tents. Anera treated 755 people.

Psychosocial support activities took place at Rafah Basic School, engaging 240 children with diverse backgrounds and needs, including disabilities, war injuries, and family loss. The activities featured storytelling, music, games, competitions, and physical exercises.