The war that began on October 7, 2023 after Hamas attacked Israel has brought unfathomable suffering in Israel and Gaza. Moreover, it has drastically increased the need for relief through humanitarian aid in the region.
In Israel, over 1,400 people were murdered, thousands more wounded and 242 taken hostage. Furthermore, entire communities were devastated. Many communities hit hardest by the massacres include Israel’s most vulnerable people, including the elderly and at-risk children. Additionally, the loss of breadwinners, business closures, and mass soldier recruitment impacted Israeli’s lives, especially southern families already struggling financially.
In Gaza, 85 percent of the population has been displaced from their homes. Meanwhile, essential services like sanitation, power, and water are destroyed or inoperable. Sources of food and water are depleted, and humanitarian aid is increasing but nowhere near meeting the demand.
The lack of food, water, electricity, and fuel supplies to Gaza has left displaced communities without basic necessities. Severe food insecurity is rising north of Rafah, where displaced people are hard to reach amid ongoing fighting and danger.
The onset of winter rain and cold have worsened displaced people’s suffering, making them more vulnerable to illness and disease. Because of this, our relief efforts must adapt quicly.
As a humanitarian organization, our mission is to serve as many people affected by disasters as we possibly can. Therefore, we provide the most essential resources such as food, water, and sanitation. Our work is rooted in the belief that all humans are equal. Hence, we deliver services to all, regardless of race, religion, or national origin. By partnering with local organizations we trust, we are able to provide rapid and effective relief in Israel and Gaza.
In partnership with Anera, our work has focused on providing critical food and sanitation to thousands of families in Gaza.
As the number of people living in confined spaces with little access to sanitation grew, so did the health risks they faced. Daily cleaning services in UN Schools used as makeshift shelters for thousands of families was essential and our first priority.
Now, as the risk of famine increases for internally displaced people (IDP), we are helping bolster food interventions by providing fresh produce baskets daily. Food distribution efforts are focused in critical areas like Rafah where over 1.3 million Palestinian are sheltering in inhumane conditions, bracing for continued assaults on the city.
Partnering with JDC, a centennial organization with deep roots in Israel, International Relief Teams has provided food vouchers and cash assistance. Thus, this support helps meet basic needs (food, clothing, and emergency supplies) and offsets potential downward spirals among already vulnerable young adults and families.
A quarter of a million Israelis were evacuated from unsafe homes near the Gaza and Lebanon borders due to ongoing conflict. As such, we focused on southern cities hit hardest, where many vulnerable residents urgently needed help and essential relief assistance.
As of February 15, 2024, around 130 captives remain in Gaza, a fourth of whom are believed to be dead.
The needs created by the war continue to be enormous. But, together with our partners and thanks to the support of our donors, International Relief Teams will continue with our relief efforts in the heart of the Israel-Gaza war, working to serve as many people as we can.