Aid relief parcels are his only source of food – Arafat Abu Asr

Arafat Rabah Youssef Abu Asr is a 60-year-old Palestinian elderly. He has been displaced for months, forcibly moving between shelters, tarpaulins, and scorching makeshift tents.

He is originally from Jabalia in northern Gaza, where his journey of displacement began when he fled to Al Safatwi area, then to Al-Shifa Hospital in western Gaza. His family was forcibly displaced to Al-Nuseirat Camp, where they had to escape to Khan Younis. Later, they fled to Rafah, which wasn’t their final destination. They had to flee again to Al-Zawaida as Rafah was exposed to heavy bombardment.

“We are struggling in a remote camp with no services or assistance. Transportation was terrible, and moving from one place to another was a fully-fledged struggle,”

Arafat says.

He adds, “We have become fully dependent on aid kitchens, where they provide lentils, beans, and rice. Our children don’t have access to proper food. On top of that, we endure illnesses and severe conditions under extreme heat and lack of medication supplies.”

Relief Food Parcels 

The Social Developmental Forum (SDF), in partnership with the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), targeted this remote, scorching camp in a relief intervention where dozens of food parcels were distributed to displaced families. Arafat believes that these parcels help ease the burden on families enduring the harshness of displacement.

“I’ve just received a food parcel. It’s beneficial, containing various food items like oil, tea, and sugar. The distribution went smoothly and professionally. The team is considerable and respectful.”

Arafat shared.

Do you have any source of breadwinning? We asked Arafat. He answered: “I am currently unemployed. I used to do metalwork, but I couldn’t do it anymore as I got older. The genocide has made things even worse. My lonely son works but doesn’t earn enough to support the whole family. We all live together in a tent.”

The food parcel distribution provided a temporary relief to his family, which is entirely dependent on relief aid kitchens. The cheese, oil, thyme, canned goods, legumes, rice, and sugar, included in the parcel are healthier than lentils or bread they receive from nearby daily aid.

“Relief efforts by NGOs are highly appreciated. The aid we receive doesn’t meet our daily needs. This is the first relief parcel I’ve received in four months since we fled Rafah.”

Do you have hope? 

Arafat’s home in northern Gaza has been partially destroyed. Reflecting on this, he says, “I will return to my home. I’d rather live in a tent in my home over being displaced.”

Despite these bitter conditions, Arafat still holds onto some hope that he will rebuild his home in northern Gaza. “Inshallah, there is hope in Allah’s mercy.” ​Arafat says.