While the world looks on, conditions in Gaza and the West Bank continue to deteriorate. Writing in the International Herald Tribune May 2006, former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter declared  that, “Innocent Palestinian people are being treated like animals, with the presumption that they are guilty of some crime.” 

Sahar, who has two small children and lives in Gaza, despairingly states that, “We didn't sleep last night, with the attack on the electricity main station and the sonic booms.  We don't have electricity. We go to work every morning as if it is the last day we are leaving our homes.  But at the same time, we have the internal light, which is more important.”

All entries and exits into Gaza have been closed with no goods, including food and medicines, allowed in “until further notice.”  Today, three quarters of the Gaza Strip sits in darkness without electricity due to the destruction of the main power station.  It could take up to six months to repair.  All water needs to be pumped; if the citizens of Gaza have no electricity, they have no water.

Since the elections, closures have led to shortages in basic goods, including sugar and flour, which in turn yields higher prices.  Stores of critical medical supplies and antibiotics are also running low.  Many families have sold what little items they possess and now reduce their food consumption, resulting in further impoverishment and malnourishment.

With a living area of 365 sq. km and a population of 1.3 million, Gaza is one of the most densely populated regions in the world.  Nearly half the population is under 15.  Reports indicate that 99.4 percent of the children in Gaza suffer trauma, 96.6 percent have witnessed a shooting; and a third have seen family members or neighbors injured or killed.

Recently, KinderUSA has been focusing on development-based, sustainable projects that benefit Palestinian children and their families.  And while we believe that emergency relief efforts remain essential, our mission has shifted to more long-term efforts to promote self-sufficiency among Palestinians.

The problem, of course, is that the current crisis in Palestine makes it virtually impossible to plan for the future.  We are back to square one – basic survival.  And when people are hungry, they must be fed.

Kinder is appealing to our donors to help us raise money for food packages for the most vulnerable families in Gaza– the unemployed, the needy, the poorest of the poor. We will be partnering with a local organization that has identified families facing the most critical hardship cases.  Each package will contain enough food to help a family get by for an entire month.  The cost is $50/package.  Obviously, there are thousands of families in need.  Our goal is to raise money for 1000 families as a start.  The more money we raise, the more families we can help.  This is an urgent appeal.

We understand that whatever we provide is just a drop in the bucket when compared to the need, which is great, and growing with every day and every new crisis.  This is a time for action.  The children of Palestine cannot wait and neither can you.  Please make a secure online donation today.