While the world looks on, conditions in Gaza and the West Bank continue to deteriorate. Writing in the International Herald Tribune May 2006, former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter declared  that, “Innocent Palestinian people are being treated like animals, with the presumption that they are guilty of some crime.” 

Sahar, who has two small children and lives in Gaza, despairingly states that, “We didn't sleep last night, with the attack on the electricity main station and the sonic booms.  We don't have electricity. We go to work every morning as if it is the last day we are leaving our homes.  But at the same time, we have the internal light, which is more important.”

All entries and exits into Gaza have been closed with no goods, including food and medicines, allowed in “until further notice.”  Today, three quarters of the Gaza Strip sits in darkness without electricity due to the destruction of the main power station.  It could take up to six months to repair.  All water needs to be pumped; if the citizens of Gaza have no electricity, they have no water.

Since the elections, closures have led to shortages in basic goods, including sugar and flour, which in turn yields higher prices.  Stores of critical medical supplies and antibiotics are also running low.  Many families have sold what little items they possess and now reduce their food consumption, resulting in further impoverishment and malnourishment.

With a living area of 365 sq. km and a population of 1.3 million, Gaza is one of the most densely populated regions in the world.  Nearly half the population is under 15.  Reports indicate that 99.4 percent of the children in Gaza suffer trauma, 96.6 percent have witnessed a shooting; and a third have seen family members or neighbors injured or killed.

Recently, KinderUSA has been focusing on development-based, sustainable projects that benefit Palestinian children and their families.  And while we believe that emergency relief efforts remain essential, our mission has shifted to more long-term efforts to promote self-sufficiency among Palestinians.

The problem, of course, is that the current crisis in Palestine makes it virtually impossible to plan for the future.  We are back to square one – basic survival.  And when people are hungry, they must be fed.

Kinder is appealing to our donors to help us raise money for food packages for the most vulnerable families in Gaza– the unemployed, the needy, the poorest of the poor. We will be partnering with a local organization that has identified families facing the most critical hardship cases.  Each package will contain enough food to help a family get by for an entire month.  The cost is $50/package.  Obviously, there are thousands of families in need.  Our goal is to raise money for 1000 families as a start.  The more money we raise, the more families we can help.  This is an urgent appeal.

We understand that whatever we provide is just a drop in the bucket when compared to the need, which is great, and growing with every day and every new crisis.  This is a time for action.  The children of Palestine cannot wait and neither can you.  Please make a secure online donation today.

How You Can Help

Following the tragic earthquake that affected parts of Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan demolishing whole communities, rendering over 2 million homeless and an estimated death toll continuing to rise above 70,000, many of our donors called and sent emails expressing distress and sadness wanting to know how they can help.  Knowledge of the region is critical to any relief effort, therefore KinderUSA is directing all of our donors to the Edhi Foundation who has been operating in the region for over 50 years.

Edhi foundation has offices in the region and sprang into action hours after the devastating quake hit providing health services, food, shelter, and rescue operations. Currently they have 3 centers with response teams mobilized in Muzaffarabad with eight major administrative zones situated throughout Pakistan all working on the relief efforts. 

Seen as the worst earthquake ever to hit Pakistan, KinderUSA extends its profound sympathy and condolences to all the victims in this horrific disaster, “We are all deeply saddened at the tremendous loss of life and stand ready to assist. Based on prior experience, we know that the most important aspect of disaster relief is collaboration and cooperation, and therefore we urge all of our donor’s to give generously in this effort,” said Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, chairwoman KinderUSA.

Edhi Foundation is a 501 ( c ) 3 tax-exempt organization.  For more information about Edhi Foundation, visit their website at:  http://www.paks.net/edhi-foundation/ or you may call: 718.335.1978.   Make checks payable to:

            USA Edhi International Foundation

            42-07 National Street

            Corona, New York 11368

KinderUSA Travels to Louisiana

KinderUSA has joined the massive relief effort underway on behalf of the countless children and families devastated by Hurrican Katrina.  Last week, KinderUSA’s Director journeyed to the disaster zone in Louisiana to perform an assessment of needs and to provide much needed assistance to those families attempting to rebuild their lives in the wake of the lethal storm.

Thousands of traumatized families are living in shelters with little to do but wait and wonder what the future holds.  Many are uncertain of the fate of family members.  Mothers are unable to locate children; relatives have been scattered across the country, while others have simply gone missing.  America has never confronted a natural disaster of this magnitude, and people across the nation wonder how such a nightmare could take place so close to home. 

As you can imagine, the disaster has had an enormous impact on the children.  In keeping with our mission, relief efforts have focused on the survival and well-being of the innocent children affected by this crisis.  Traveling throughout some of the hardest hit areas, KinderUSA had a chance to speak with numerous families, who shared harrowing stories of their ordeals.