As we passed through the month of Ramadan, children in Gaza continued to witness the most severe hardships with regard to accessing food and health care.  The siege imposed on Gaza has led to a humanitarian catastrophe that is deteriorating rapidly and spiraling out of control as children are being drip fed humanitarian aid.  We are gravely concerned with the most recent restrictions on fuel and electricity which have a direct impact on the welfare of innocent Palestinian children limiting their access to clean water supplies.

There are 1.4 million Palestinians living in Gaza.  72% of the children and 42% of pregnant women suffer from anemia in this isolated strip, as reported by the World Health Organization in April of this year.  Children with severe illnesses requiring specialized medical care are unable to leave and consequently suffer from deteriorating health conditions that could otherwise be cured.  Drug shelves are empty at primary health care clinics where the dispense of pediatric antibiotics has ceased.  

Our project during Ramadan in Gaza focused on the neediest of families in Rafah, Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun.  The average family consisted of 8 family members with the mean age of the children at 7 years old.  These families were able to shop at stores with vouchers to purchase dry goods in addition to purchasing fresh vegetables, fruit, and poultry and eggs directly from local farmers who are also struggling from the closure and unable to export their food.  

The human suffering taking place can not continue to be ignored by the international community.  The level of despair and poverty has reached a level no one could have ever predicted.  “Even as the situation worsens, it is our obligation to continue to support these children and their families at this time of greatest need,” said Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, chairwoman of Kinder USA.    With all the hurdles we are required to overcome, Kinder USA will continue addressing the needs of these children, with your help.    

Planting the Seeds for Ramadan

Nutritional sustenance continues to be a large part of Kinder USA’s work as we believe no child should sleep with an empty stomach and all are afforded the same rights inherent in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.  This Ramadan we have planned ahead to both boost the local economy while providing development and relief to the poorest communities in the West Bank and Gaza. 

The Ramadan project will again focus on supporting farmers through the production of agricultural products including chickens, eggs, sheep, goats, milk, cheese, vegetables and fruits.  Farmers participating in this project will be those who have suffered due to the ongoing economic stranglehold on the population as well as start up production for new farmers providing a means of income.  All have been provided with  the necessary supplies to begin production, “planting seeds”, in time for the holy month of Ramadan. 

In addition to supporting farmers, this year Kinder USA has identified impoverished female heads of households to sew clothing for children.  Many of these women have machines and have been trained through existing programs but unable to put their skills to the benefit of their families and community.  Kinder USA provided women from both the West Bank and Gaza with the necessary materials, cloth, thread, buttons, zippers, etc. to produce clothing for children in time for Eid al Fitr and continuing into Eid al Adha. 

Last year we distributed over $150,000 worth of food during Ramadan.  This year our goal is $200,000!  Please make an online donation now to support Planting the Seeds for Ramadan with the ultimate goal of providing food and clothing to 4000 of the most impoverished families in the West Bank and Gaza! 

Children in Need of our Help

Throughout the West Bank and Gaza, children continue to struggle to survive as families go without incomes.  These are the faceless victims of the ongoing violence, traumatized by conflict, bloodshed, and hunger.  Many children roam the streets running from car to car selling chewing gum, lighters, or scrap metal for a meager wage to help support their families.  Children have now taken on the role of bread winners as their families continue to face a crushing socio-economic life with the ongoing sanctions and the ever tighter restrictions on movement.  In Gaza, food and water for many families are the only components of life left.

  “There is a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis taking place, particularly in Gaza, that could soon turn into a human catastrophe”, said Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, Chairwoman of Kinder USA. “The situation for children is desperate.”

  Poverty and poor quality foodstuffs threaten 10 out of 100 children under five who are stunted, with the highest proportions in Gaza reaching a reported 30%, an increase of 3% over the last two years.  According to the World Health Organization, more than 70% of nine-month old children in Gaza are anemic. 

  “It is heartbreaking what these children are facing,” said Dr. Al-Marayati.   Sadly, poverty persists in the Occupied Palestinian Territories while more aid than ever before, a staggering 66% increase from 1998 has been delivered, yet the humanitarian situation continues to get worse. 

  In Lebanon, more than 27,000 people have fled the fighting mostly resettling in Beddawi camp where living conditions are unbearable and the swollen population has far exceeded the camp’s capacity.  Children are living in hallways of schools while their parents are doing their best to cope.  These displaced families have limited resources while those living in the camps are already facing severe hardships and are incapable of extending overburdened facilities.    Currently, there is a critical need to maintain hygiene to prevent any outbreak of disease or infection as well as an ongoing need for both food and water to provide short term immediate life saving support. 

To help alleviate these miserable conditions, we are sending out a dual appeal for the children in both Gaza and Northern Lebanon.  In Gaza, vouchers are being distributed to families to shop for food in local stores maintaining our commitment to boosting local economies, while in Lebanon hygiene kits and water will be distributed.    To avoid further human misery and suffering, we are appealing to all of our donors to give whatever you can to these children who seem to find no relief, year after year.