Gaza Ceasefire: Where do people begin?
Alhamdulillah a ceasefire has been announced. What now?
A ceasefire has been established in the Gaza Strip, after two years of conflict. Families are finally returning home - something they dreamed about over the last two years. But many are returning only to see that there's no home standing. Imagine what that feels like...
The trees their fathers and grandfathers planted, the homes they worked so so hard to build, the childhood memories ingrained so deep within every corner of their homes, and their hearts.
Each one of them, gone...
People in Gaza have suffered immensely over the past 2 years and the ceasefire remains welcome. But the catastrophic amounts of loss and trauma endured will no doubt change the rest of their lives forever. Only now can they begin to process the trauma. Only now can they even think about the severity of what has actually happened.
Thousands of children have lost their mums or dads - or both. Thousands have lost their children - the souls of their souls. Gazans have watched their friends return to their Creator, they've wept countless tears...after tears...after tears. They've prayed more funeral prayers over the past 2 years than most of us will ever attend in our lifetime, multiplied by 10.
After 2 years, twins are reuniting, embracing each other for the very first time in years. Fathers are seeing their young children - at least a whole year older. How much does a child change in a whole year? Gazans are meeting their loved ones and finally feeling the start of a sense of 'normalcy'.
But where are they supposed to begin?
A sigh of relief. A thought about their displaced family. Dreams about meeting those who have returned to their Creator. Search for food for their children. Which is the first step?
Our brothers and sisters in Gaza are living through a nightmare none of us could truly understand. But we can try. We can try to understand as much as possible. What if that was us? What if those were our children, or our families? How would we feel then? Because that's how people in Gaza feel every single day, extremely enhanced.
How will they protect themselves?
How are they supposed to rest at night? With no roof over their heads, they need shelter, privacy, protection.
Global Rahmah Foundation has supported families in Gaza since 2013. During the recent conflict, we have built 4 Rahmah Camps in Gaza, giving families a small corner of privacy.
Will you help us build more?
Rahmah Camps provide up to 200 families with shelter, include a Mussallah (prayer area) and bathroom facilities. They may not seem significant, but right now, they're exactly what people need.
Imagine losing your home. With winter approaching fast, you'd worry about protecting yourself from the cold and rain. Where would you sleep at night? Your bedroom no longer exists. A tent would give a little shelter until you can rebuild your home. We understand that, and that's why we're building Rahmah Camps in Gaza. But we can't do it without you.
Alhamdulillah, thanks to your generosity, we've supported almost three quarters of a million people in Gaza this year so far. This has been through a mix of hot meals, clean water, shelter and much more humanitarian aid. With the ceasefire in effect, now is the time to continue supporting Gaza to help as many people as possible.
But our work is not over.
Families in Gaza rely on organisations like ours for food, aid and essential supplies. And we can only give those with your support. As Palestinians see a flicker of hope, remind them that we stand with them.
Donate to Gaza today and help our brothers and sisters during the most difficult period of their lives.