Sulaf Mohammed: “We Live as a family in the T4P camp”

Sulaf Mohammed, a 16-year-old displaced child, sits on a large mattress placed in front of her tent next to her siblings, cousins, and other displaced women in the “Together For Palestine #3” displacement camp in Deir al-Balah. After a long and exhausting day, they play cards in a funny and highly-competitive atmosphere.

A typical day for women in the T4P displacement camp, established by the Social Developmental Forum (SDF) in partnership with the Welfare Association, is tiring as they spend a long time performing household tasks, which is obviously more exhausting than they used to, before being displaced. Sulaf’s morning begins with preparing her family’s daily needs of water, then getting firewood and the other necessities for cooking.

Women spend their day handwashing clothes -due to the lack of electricity and the unavailability of washing machines- and dishwashing, which is obviously harder to perform under the heat of sunlight.

Our camp feels like home; Water supplies and phone charging are available, and there is power for lighting at night. Not to mention the SDF’s helpful team of young people running the camp.

says Sulaf Mohammed when asked about the life in the T4P camp

She praises and commends the services provided by the SDF for the displaced residents, mentioning the safe space created around the tents that makes it easier for children to play and have fun. “I can easily keep an open eye on my sisters, as they play in the safe area here; they don’t need to go outside,” Sulaf says.

“One Big Family” is how Sulaf describes life in the T4P camp. She says, “One of the heart-touching things is that we are a big family in this camp; we exchange resources and assets. We know we integrate each other, so once we need something, we don’t hesitate to ask. We know that help and support are there for us.”

I always tell my mother, Alhamdulillah that this is our situation, others are way worse. We are in safe hands among good people in a convenient place.

Sulaf Mohammed

Commenting on the performance of the SDF’s youth administration responsible for managing the camp, Sulaf says: “We always communicate our needs to them, and they respond promptly. They also contribute to ensuring our security and safety inside the camp.”

“The SDF has met our different fundamental needs by distributing fresh vegetable parcels, water gallons, tarpaulins, mattresses, and blankets.” Sualf says, adding; “In other camps, I see on social media that services are provided in a way that is uncomfortable for displaced people, and sometimes it is humiliating. But here, in the T4P camp, relief services are provided respectfully; providing useful service without humiliating the people’s dignity.”

She concludes: “Allah is examining us, and thanks to such people, we are managing to survive,” referring to the SDF’s team, managing Together For Palestine Camp.

It is worth noting that the T4P camp provides shelter for 50 displaced families (400 individuals) from various areas across the Gaza Strip. The SDF established this camp in partnership with the Welfare Association to provide shelter to families who had nowhere to go, after the Israeli invasion of Rafah.