Anera Expands Women-led Food Production Initiative in Gaza
GAZA CITY, Palestine (March 18, 2026) — This week, to address the ongoing impacts of the crisis in Gaza, Anera launched a new livelihood initiative producing and distributing meals. The effort, led by a team of seven women and a chef, builds upon Anera’s past initiatives in Gaza, and commissions and pays women to produce pastries and bread which are then distributed to displaced families, children and hospital patients.
The two groups began pastry production on March 7, producing and delivering 22,000 pastries to displaced families, school children and hospital patients. By the end of this current phase of the project, participants will produce nearly 100,000 pastries to benefit more than 32,000 individuals.
The program provides income opportunities for women-headed households, enabling Anera to hire women to prepare food that is distributed free of charge to vulnerable communities.
“Daily life in Gaza has been completely upended since the start of the war, and it is nearly impossible for women to earn an income,” said Suad Lubbad, the Anera program manager in Gaza. “Cash is scarce and displacement has impacted and disrupted livelihoods across the territory. Yet despite these challenges, women are finding ways to support their families and communities. Anera’s program is empowering women in Gaza by giving them the tools they need to transform basic ingredients into meals that feed thousands of people while providing critical income for their households.”
The initiative has hired 25 women in northern Gaza and 30 additional women in central and southern Gaza. In total, the program supports 55 women-headed households while increasing access to nutritious food for displaced families.
Since 2019, Anera’s economic empowerment initiatives have worked to empower Palestinian women who are heads of households to gain economic autonomy. Anera designed the program to provide materials and coaching to help women launch small businesses and generate income independently. However, due to the ongoing war and subsequent collapse of local markets, along with the scarcity of cash in Gaza, Anera has adapted the program to fit wartime conditions.
Instead of selling products, Anera commissions and pays women to produce meals, which are then distributed to vulnerable populations across Gaza. Through this initiative, Anera is simultaneously supporting women’s livelihoods and improving food access for thousands of vulnerable people across Gaza.
Anera has two production teams made up of women and led by experienced group leaders. The organization supplies ingredients, cooking equipment and logistical support like packaging, transportation and distribution of the final product.
The reopening of Gaza’s crossings has also allowed entry of supplies and Anera is now able to scale up the program by importing essential ingredients and equipment, including ovens and cooking utensils.
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About Anera
Since 1968, Anera has helped refugees and others hurt by conflicts in the Middle East live with dignity and purpose. Anera, which has no political or religious affiliation, works on the ground with partners in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Lebanon, and Jordan. We mobilize resources for immediate humanitarian relief and for sustainable health, education, and economic development efforts. Our staff are from the communities they serve, navigating the politics that constrict progress to get help where it’s needed most. We will keep building better lives until hope finds its way in the Middle East.