Ibrahim Atallah is one of many Palestinians in Gaza whose lives have been severely affected by the conflict that worsened after October 2023. As a father, Ibrahim now looks after his three-year-old son, who has a disability and highly specific dietary needs. His son eats only a few simple items, mainly biscuits and milk, which have become nearly impossible to obtain due to shortages and rising prices in the market.
Like many families in Gaza, Ibrahim has struggled to find enough food to meet even the most basic needs. As the humanitarian situation worsened, access to safe shelter, water and food became increasingly limited. In response to widespread displacement and food insecurity, PWS&D supported a Canadian Foodgrains Bank project, which distributed ready-to-eat and mixed food parcels to displaced, conflict-affected families across Gaza City and North Gaza. These parcels were designed to meet the immediate needs of individuals without access to functioning kitchens, cooking fuel or stable incomes.
Ibrahim was among the participants selected to receive this assistance in Gaza City. When he received a parcel, he said it made a significant difference, not only in easing his financial stress but also in boosting the health of his young son. “This parcel will alleviate his suffering and provide my child with the necessary food,” Ibrahim shared. The ma’amoul (date) biscuits included in the kit brought immediate comfort to his son and helped decrease the family’s dependence on expensive, hard-to-find goods in the local market.
“I felt happy when I received the message that I would be a participant of the aid distributions,” he shared. “[The partner] cares about the opinions and challenges of the participants… [and] that makes us feel that we have rights. We do not feel embarrassed or insulted when receiving the parcels,” remarked Ibrahim.
PWS&D’s Gaza Response
As violence continues in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, humanitarian needs on the ground only increase, while the ability to deliver aid remains an ongoing challenge.
Despite the challenges, PWS&D continues to respond through our ecumenical networks and partnerships at ACT Alliance and Canadian Foodgrains Bank to provide food and other humanitarian assistance where and whenever possible. Yet, the need is still immense, and we need your help to respond.
Your support will enable PWS&D and our partners to provide cash and food assistance, access to water and sanitation services, shelter, primary healthcare, and mental health support. As a result, families like Ibrahim’s will be able to meet their basic needs.
Click below to support PWS&D’s Gaza response.
