Violence has escalated after months of ongoing tension across the region. Over 20,000 people have been killed and thousands more have been injured or deemed missing. In Gaza specifically, a ‘total blockade’ is in place, completely cutting off the 2 million civilians from access to food, electricity, and fuel. It’s Israel’s modern-day apartheid against Palestinians… and it’s a crime against all humanity.
More than half of the population have gone days without food; the total number of housing units destroyed or damaged accounts for at least 60% of all housing units in Gaza; and more than 90% of the population has been displaced.
The attack on the health system has been particularly devastating. The World Health Organization (WHO) says less than a third of Gaza’s hospitals are partially functional, while the remaining operational health facility in the north has been rendered completely nonfunctional. They also shared that more people will die of disease if we’re not able to put the health system back together and provide people with the basics of life.
While issues related to the delivery of humanitarian aid persist, US Islamic Cultural Center partners are continuing to work on the following interventions:
- Distribution of food parcels sourced by local farmers in Gaza to displaced families
- Provision of hygiene kits to people in shelters
- Provision of vital medical supplies to hospitals
- Access to mobile clinics for the tens of thousands of people in shelters
- Immediate trauma response for thousands of people
- Winter aid including blankets, mattresses, and winter clothing
Our partners are also continuing to work on the procurement and stockpiling of water, food and non-food items, and medical supplies, to be delivered once a pathway for humanitarian aid is established again.
Stay tuned to this page for ongoing updates.
Focus on Palestine
Living under occupation and a constant threat of violence, Palestinians have been robbed of nearly every basic human right. Food insecurity; poor water quality; limited access to healthcare; lack of education opportunities; high unemployment; and restricted movement are only a few of the many problems the people of Palestine are forced to face in their daily lives.
Gaza has been described as the “world’s larges open-air prison.” Years of restrictions on movement coupled with blockades have left over 2 million residents stuck with little hope of bettering their lives. Reports conclude that Gaza will soon become “unlivable” if this continues. The Palestinian refugee crisis is one of the biggest our world has faced. More than 7 million Palestinians have been displaced.
Our hope is to show the people of Palestine they have not been forgotten. Join us and support our brothers and sisters in their time of need.
USICC’s Dedication to Palestine
Our Islamic Relief effort partners have been working in Palestine for over two decades. Our efforts across the country have grown to help hundreds of thousands of people every year. Not only do we provide immediate emergency relief, but we work with our partners to implement long-term development programs that will help rebuild Palestine and bring hope to its people. Our efforts are expansive, covering nearly every sector of Islamic Relief and its supporters have dedicated their time and energy to it. This includes:
- Food aid
- Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Access to healthcare including psychosocial support and awareness for women and children
- Childhood development efforts including access to education and support for orphans and children with disabilities
- Sustainable livelihood support including youth entrepreneurship and women empowerment efforts
- Emergency aid for families in Gaza including improved physical and mental well-being through shelter rehabilitation and psychosocial support
- Winter assistance