Gaza urgently needs a more effective humanitarian approach

The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has been in effect for a month. Despite some critical moments and violations during this period, mediators have so far successfully maintained the validity of the agreement. This provides a valuable window of opportunity to resume reconstruction efforts and creates conditions for further humanitarian assistance.

The ceasefire has enabled many of the 1.9 million displaced people to return to the areas they fled, alleviating pressure on the southern and central Gaza Strip, which had housed large numbers of makeshift camps lacking essential infrastructure. The movement of people has also facilitated the transport and distribution of supplies, somewhat alleviating the humanitarian crisis.

The ceasefire has undoubtedly brought some comfort to the Gaza Strip, which has suffered 15 months of unimaginable hardship. However, for families who have survived the relentless bombing and destruction, the battle is far from over. They face a new war—a war against poverty, hunger, homelessness, and despair. With homes reduced to rubble, hospitals overwhelmed, and schools either destroyed or still serving as shelters for the displaced, Gaza has regressed by decades.

Over the past few weeks, we have seen a significant increase in aid entering the Gaza Strip, especially in the northern region, which has been under siege for months. However, significant challenges remain. Field staff and friends report that access to food, water, medicine, and supplies remains difficult. While the distribution of supplies remains a key challenge due to damaged infrastructure, it is not the only problem.

Obstacles to the entry of various essential goods persist. Last week, trucks carrying tents, mobile homes, and heavy machinery for clearing rubble were prevented from entering, almost causing the ceasefire agreement to collapse. Due to the lack of adequate shelter, many Palestinian families continue to suffer from the harsh weather conditions in the Gaza Strip, especially in the north, where the rate of destruction of civilian buildings is the highest. Many of our colleagues have stated that they have not seen any signs of blankets or tents, and they remain exposed to harsh conditions, unable to carry out life-saving work properly.

Some beneficiaries have stated that they have stopped bathing their children due to the cold weather. Sara*, a mother of three living in Deir al-Balah, told our team earlier this month that she used to take her children to bathe in the sea, but she can no longer do so because she fears they may get sick. Due to the persistent lack of medicine, this could be a death sentence for a small child.

Although a significant amount of food has entered the Gaza Strip compared to a few months ago, there are still considerable challenges in meeting the nutritional needs of Palestinians. Aid packages contain only staples such as oil, flour, ghee, rice, canned beans, tomatoes, and tuna, with no fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, or eggs. The long-term health effects of 15 months without fresh food can certainly only be understood in the years to come.

To make matters worse, these aid packages are still not enough to cover everyone in need. In fact, for much of Gaza's population, access to aid has not improved significantly since the initial ceasefire agreement came into effect. Fatima*, a 21-year-old mother of two, says she still suffers from the same plight she faced months ago. Her tent leaks in the rain and collapses in the wind, and she hasn't slept soundly in 16 months. However, her children no longer have the strength to cry, they have been starving and sick. Even as aid entering the area is increasing, she is still unable to find the food and nutrition they need to survive.

Gaza needs at least 600 trucks of food every day, supplied continuously for four months, to address the serious malnutrition problem. Hundreds more trucks are needed daily to restore a humane standard of living, and will be needed for years to come. Many foods, such as eggs, chicken, fresh fruits, and vegetables, are now available for purchase in some parts of Gaza, but they are for sale. This is because a large proportion of the trucks entering Gaza are not carrying aid, but commercial goods, including food, which are then sold at exorbitant prices to the few Palestinians who can afford them.

Humanitarian agencies have largely abandoned purchasing goods for resale, fearing that it will push already soaring prices beyond the reach of civilians. But even so, there are reports of a box of 12 eggs costing as much as $40, $50, or even $60. In the south, where supplies are supposedly more accessible, a bag of flour can cost as much as $100. Clearly, the current humanitarian response is not providing the conditions necessary for Palestinians in Gaza to rebuild their lives.

Gaza has been scorched, with much of the farmland destroyed and parts covered in rubble or toxic residue, remnants of violent bombing campaigns against the civilian population. Nothing will grow here for years to come. The economy of the Gaza Strip has been virtually destroyed, with the vast majority of the working-age population unemployed and with no hope of finding work in the short term. Palestinian families simply cannot survive on flour, rice, and canned fish.

With aid distribution failing and dignity being stripped away, the urgency of adopting new approaches has never been more apparent. The people of Gaza need a more dignified way to receive support to help them achieve long-term recovery. Given the inadequacy of the current humanitarian response, our organization has decided to launch the "Extend Your Table" initiative, which is rooted in solidarity, compassion, and shared humanity. Instead of relying on aid supplies that are often inconsistent and insufficient, we are empowering people around the world to make a tangible difference by pairing them with families in Gaza.

Through monthly donations, people can directly support a Palestinian family, providing not only food, but also dignity and hope for a better tomorrow. Beneficiaries will receive cash vouchers, enabling them to decide how to meet their needs—a choice they have been denied since the horrors in Gaza began. Providing families with the dignified choice to care for themselves will not even begin to solve these problems, but it will be a start. We hope that this initiative will help restore agency, foster connection, and ensure that Palestinian men, women, and children who have experienced unimaginable suffering and destruction can meet their basic needs. This comprehensive approach can not only provide immediate relief, but also support economic recovery, education, and health.

We sincerely hope that other organizations will also adopt different and more effective strategies in Gaza to provide Palestinians with more dignified and humane support. The road to recovery will be long, but we can be part of the solution.