The humanitarian organization, Gift of the Givers says their teams are on the ground in Gaza assisting those afflicted by the current Israel-Hamas conflict. Founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman says their staff are under severe physical, emotional and mental stress. At the same time, they are afraid for the well-being of their own families.
They have also committed to helping the general population in Gaza as best they can. For now, they have listed movement, communication and security as serious challenges in the region.
Gift of the Givers in Gaza
From Day One of the conflict, GotG was involved on the ground. They bought medical supplies, medicines and wheelchairs for the injured at multiple hospitals.
He said, “We are funding fuel purchases for the ambulances. 15 hospitals and 23 ambulances have been struck deliberately.”
Physical, emotional and mental stress
According to the organizers, patients also receive new clothing and hygiene items as they arrive at the hospital with no accessories through the relentless bombing.
“Through our 3 desalination plants, we are providing water for thousands. Once Israel cut off the electricity we have been sustaining them on generators through whatever fuel is available,” says Sooliman.
Hot meals to thousands of people
The disaster relief entity has provided hot meals to thousands of people. They have also delivered food parcels to communities. Families were also given vouchers to buy whatever they required from business houses closest to them.
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Sooliman added, “We have built trust with the people through our 14-year presence in the country; items are released by the businesses before payment.”
He said they are preparing a much bigger humanitarian intervention with diverse supplies in the event passage of goods are permitted through the Rafah border.
Bigger humanitarian intervention
Sooliman says they are also considering a special aid flight.
“We have asked our Gaza team to employ more personnel and increase networks to ensure continuity of distribution in the event they get killed, which is a very distinct possibility given the risks they have to take,” he concluded.
Contributions into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052137228, Branch Code 057525, ref Palestine.
MORE ABOUT GotG: The Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest disaster response non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent. The essence of their presence is to bring hope and restore dignity to the most vulnerable.
