More photos and video below
RAFAH, PALESTINE January 18, 2024 – Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed emergency humanitarian aid to 120,000 displaced Palestinians in Gaza after the successful entry of Baitulmaal’s second aid convoy from Egypt earlier this week.
Ten trucks crossed into Gaza from the Rafah border crossing carrying humanitarian aid such as 2,160 food packages, 2,700 hygiene kits, and 120 tonnes of freshly ground and packed flour.
According to Ahmed Sherif, international offices manager at Baitulmaal, the expressed needs of displaced Palestinians were taken into account when determining what aid to secure on the restricted numbers of trucks that are allowed into Gaza.
“We prioritized dignity kits for women and girls after hearing about their struggles,” Sherif said. “We also took into consideration other needs such as dry yeast to bake bread, as well as their desire for coffee and tea that gives them some comfort.”
The 120 tonnes of flour were allocated to families in Khan Younis, Rafah, and cancer and kidney failure patients. According to Sherif, a local group of women volunteered to prepare 120,000 loaves of fresh bread for these patients.
This aid convoy was overseen and prepared in Egypt by a delegation of U.S.-based activists that included Linda Sarsour, Zahra Billoo and Suzie Othman.
“Resources are getting into Gaza,” Sarsour said, referring to Baitulmaal’s ability to pass inspections and send critical aid into Gaza. She thanked the charity and its donors who “allow us to bless the people who are in Gaza and all around the world who need these resources in these very dire times.”
Since October 7, Israeli forces have killed more than 25,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, injured more than 57,000, and displaced more than 1 million residents, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Israel also imposed a blockade on food, water, fuel and electricity from entering Gaza. Prior to October 7, Gaza relied on more than 500 humanitarian aid trucks per day to meet the needs of the population. Since then, only a fraction of aid trucks have been allowed in.
Baitulmaal’s first humanitarian aid convoy successfully entered Gaza with 14 trucks of aid. This will be the second aid convoy that has entered Gaza, with more aid convoys on the way.
In addition to the successful entry of humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza, Baitulmaal has been on the ground in Gaza providing food, shelter kits, hygiene supplies, clean water, psychosocial support and other emergency aid since October 7. Baitulmaal has been working in Palestine for more than a decade providing food, clothing, education support, seasonal giving, emergency aid and healthcare in Palestine, in addition to operating 400 water tanks in Gaza. Having staff and resources on the ground has enabled Baitulmaal to quickly mobilize emergency aid from existing stock within Gaza to families in need.
Baitulmaal continues to provide aid during the current crisis and will deliver more aid into Gaza as the situation allows. If you would like to learn more about or contribute to Baitulmaal’s efforts in Palestine, please visit their website at Baitulmaal.org.
Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Europe, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.
# # #
⬅️ Click left or right to see additional images ➡️
