How Your Support Sustains Gaza's Community Kitchens Amid Crisis

Thanks to your support and assistance from the World Food Programme, Rebuilding Alliance’s Palestinian NGO partners in Gaza are able to operate 21 kitchens despite facing extremely challenging conditions. Their dedication to serving the community has enabled them to overcome these difficulties over the past year.

Mrs. Najah is the Executive Director of the Women's Programs Center, a partner NGO of Rebuilding Alliance in Gaza. The Women’s Programs Center has been at the forefront of the hot meals program, providing nourishing meals to families in need. We spoke with Mrs. Najah about her challenges and the important work they are doing.

Mrs. Najah shared that working during the war has been challenging. The fear, combined with the inability to meet the needs of a large number of displaced people, has made the situation particularly difficult. Due to the conflict, prices have skyrocketed, leading to a severe shortage of resources. Many essential materials have become unavailable in the market, forcing us to search various marketplaces and street vendors for food supplies.

Mrs. Najah said, "I broke my leg while working and had to use a wheelchair for about two months. But this didn’t stop me from working with my team. During this period, the number of kitchens increased from one to nine, preparing food and bread for the displaced."

Mrs. Najah and her team had to relocate from Rafah in May, which presented new challenges. "We were thrown into the unknown. Transporting the kitchen equipment and cooking supplies was my top priority. Despite the displacement, we managed to set up our cooking space and feed those who were displaced in Deir al-Balah. Later, we were again displaced to Mawasi Khan Younis, and the kitchen moved with us. Once again, we prepared a dedicated space to continue feeding the displaced."

"Initially, there was just one kitchen, which expanded to nine and then eleven. Now, we operate four large kitchens. In the beginning, we distributed between 30,000 and 35,000 meals a day, but currently, that number has decreased to 11,000 meals," Mrs. Najah shared with us.

"This year has been challenging in every sense. In the kitchen, I faced difficulties due to the circumstances. It was a unique, first-time experience for me. Though I have managed Ms. Najah’s kitchen for a long time. I have to cook and oversee the preparation of large quantities of meals for those displaced,” said Mrs. Najah.

"I want to send a huge thank you to all the supporters for their help,  which has prevented many people from going hungry. Many sick and needy people were spared the hunger that may have forced them to search through garbage due to their inability to buy food. I hope you never stop thinking about the displaced, who are in desperate need of your support."

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