August, 2024
Anera’s tekia program of community kitchens is sustaining displaced civilians across Gaza.
Rabab and her family did not think they would face unimaginable hardship securing food amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.
Rabab, 40, and her husband have fourteen children. Between incessant bombings and scarce resources, the two of them find themselves caught in a constant struggle for the survival of their family.
The family was displaced from their home in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza after Israeli evacuation orders. They headed south to the city of Deir Al Balah in the central Gaza Strip, and have been there ever since.
“Leaving our home marked the start of our battle to feed our children," Rabab says. “The first three months afterwards were defined by one word: hunger."
"Aid and food parcels were scarce, with barely enough to sustain us. There were no open kitchens around in the middle area," Rabab says, glancing at her children.
"Leaving our home marked the start of our battle to feed our children."
Adding to their woes of war, Rabab's husband, Hamad, is no longer able to bring in regular income. He worked in construction before the war, and has not been able to work since it began.
“I now watch my children cry from hunger. I see them going to bed to sleep without eating a single meal, and I’m powerless to provide anything," the 45-year-old father says. "It's agonizing."
Rabab describes how the living conditions during the war are catastrophic in so many ways. "We face displacement, leaving our house, and living in a tent devoid of essentials: water, food, electricity. It’s a daily torment."
"I now watch my children cry from hunger. I see them going to bed to sleep without eating a single meal, and I’m powerless to provide anything."
“At first, we had no shelter,” Rabab says. “We were sleeping on the pavement before we moved into a cramped tent that couldn't accommodate our large family."
Thankfully, a kind-hearted local offered the family a small house when he saw the miserable conditions they were living in.
“Having a roof over our heads is a blessing," Rabab reflects. "It's something many yearn for in this war. It's made us appreciate every aspect of life, even the roof of this house."
The opening of tekias — community kitchens — is a crucial resource for Rabab and her family amid the crisis. Anera is able to operate these community kitchens thanks to funding from Islamic Relief USA and Dubai Cares, which is part of Hamad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), and has supported Anera in providing hot meals, food baskets and emergency relief tents as part of its “Gaza In Our Hearts” campaign.
“Our sustenance now relies solely on the nearby tekia,” Rabab says. “It offers different types of nutritious meals, like beans with rice, peas and potatoes, and sometimes they serve food with meat.”
"Having a roof over our heads is a blessing."
“My children go every day at the time when the food is cooked,” Rabab says. "They stand in line and wait for the food.”
She says the moment her children return to her with food in their hands is the most beautiful moment of the day.
Anera had opened several tekias in Rafah and the central area to provide cooked food to thousands of displaced people daily.
“Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, we depended entirely on the tekia’s food,” Rabab says. “We would gather at the iftar table, thank God, and eat.
"Even before Ramadan, we ate only one meal a day, including my children who are under nine and who require proper nutrition for growth.”
The tekia Rabab’s family goes to feeds thousands of people with fresh, hot meals daily. In addition, Anera’s teams distribute food parcels and vegetable baskets to displaced families every day.
Rabab and Hamad's children are responsible for going with containers to wait in line for food at the tekia.
In Rafah, the family gathers when they can to eat a meal together.
At mealtime, there is rarely enough food for everyone to eat as much as they need.
Growing up during the war in Gaza means helping the family acquire food, and there still may not be enough.
"Our ultimate wish is for this war to end and for us to return home, even if it's in ruins."
Despite their hardship, Rabab and her husband feel grateful that there are such initiatives like these implemented by Anera and its partners like Dubai Cares and IRUSA.
“These organizations play a crucial role in aiding displaced individuals like us,” Hamad says. “Today we received a food parcel of fresh vegetables from Anera. The cost of such a parcel, priced at tens of shekels, is beyond our means amidst the current circumstances."
As for Rabab, she also expressed her admiration for the quality of food offered by Anera’s tekia.
“Their food surpasses other community kitchens in taste and nutrition,” she says. "We are immensely thankful."
With the war persisting, even after Ramadan, the family's reliance on these resources has intensified.
“I hope that these initiatives will extend beyond Ramadan as well," Rabab says. "Our ultimate wish is for this war to end and for us to return home, even if it's in ruins."
This program is supported by Islamic Relief USA and Dubai Cares.
“Gaza In Our Hearts” is Dubai Cares’ Ramadan fundraising campaign that mobilizes individuals of all nationalities, as well as businesses and organizations across sectors, to raise funds for the provision of hot meals, food baskets, and emergency shelter tents for the people of Gaza through Anera, Dubai Cares’ implementing partner in Gaza.
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.
