May, 2024
Our community kitchens served families hearty meals during Ramadan with the support of our partners and donors
In a weathered tent permeated by a humid odor, Ikhlas, 30, sits with her six children in Rafah.
The condition of the tent and the children’s pallor reflect their suffering and the harsh conditions they endure.
"Our situation is beyond dire. We lack food, shelter, blankets—everything," explains Ikhlas.
Originally from Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, the family was displaced to the south following Israeli evacuation orders in October 2023. They passed through Deir Al Balah before settling in Rafah in a tent.
Ikhlas’s family also shares their tent with her brother's family. All together, they total fourteen people. In the cramped space — floor space inside the tent is about the size of a single king-size bed — they struggle to find personal space.
"We're stacked on top of each other. There's no room. It's a tragic situation," Ikhlas says.
Ikhlas describes the unbearable conditions they face daily: "My children never used to wet the bed, but now they wake up wetting their bedding from fear and cold.”
"Our situation is beyond dire. We lack food, shelter, blankets—everything."
"I often have to ration a half loaf of bread per child, but it's never enough. They cry for more, but I can't provide it," she says, expressing her despair.
The family lives in a more remote part of Rafah, which means they have received very little aid over the past six months. What they have gotten barely covers their basic needs.
"I often have to ration a half loaf of bread per child, but it's never enough. They cry for more, but I can't provide it," she says, expressing her despair."
However, their situation improved slightly when Anera’s tekia — or community kitchen — opened nearby to provide food assistance during Ramadan. Anera is able to operate these community kitchens thanks to funding from Islamic Relief USA and, during the holy month of Ramadan, Dubai Cares. The tekia prepares hot meals every day and helps ease their suffering.
"My children have been longing for meat since the war began,” Ikhlas says, “but it's beyond our means to buy right now.”
The tekia provided Jordanian mansaf with jameed, sponsored by the Jordan Chamber of Industry, to the family for the first time in months. They were ecstatic to finally eat meat and this favorite dish.
"I'm grateful to Anera. Seeing my children enjoy a decent meal brings me happiness," says Ikhlas while feeding her children.
"These initiatives should continue throughout the war. The people of Gaza have endured unimaginable hardships. All I wish for is to return to our destroyed home and for a ceasefire."
"My children never used to wet the bed, but now they wake up wetting their bedding from fear and cold.”
Hot meals are delivered to a displaced Palestinian family in Gaza. | March 31, 2024.
"Seeing my children enjoy a decent meal brings me happiness."
This program is supported by Islamic Relief USA and Dubai Cares
The views expressed herein are those of Anera and shall not, in any way whatsoever, be construed to reflect the official opinion of IRUSA, its Islamic Relief affiliates, or its donors.
