What is the situation on the ground in Gaza?
A temporary ceasefire is currently in place after nearly 500 days of destruction and death at the hands of Israel. As of January 23, 2025, over 47,035 Palestinians have been killed, 111,091 injured, and 1.9 million displaced in the Gaza Strip.
As of January 16, 2025, over 46,537 Palestinians have been killed, 109,571 injured, and 1.9 million displaced in the Gaza Strip. The death toll in Gaza could exceed 186,000, according to a study published in the journal Lancet.
Over 400 days into Israel’s war on Gaza:
- 10% of Gaza’s population is killed, injured, or missing
- An average of 131 Palestinians have died daily since October 7, 2023
- 86% of Gaza is under forced evacuation orders
- Nearly 85% of school buildings have been damaged
- 70% of water and sanitation facilities are significantly damaged
- 72% of Gaza’s housing units are damaged or destroyed
With the mass return of internally displaced Palestinians in Gaza to the North and South, the needs are expected to be greater than ever. Many Palestinians are still facing famine and hunger, concerning injuries and health conditions that will need to be addressed amidst minimal available services.
With the ceasefire in effect, what long-term projects do we have planned?
In the current context, we are focusing on the immediate need for food and water and are continuing our emergency relief efforts.
As the ceasefire continues, our team will pivot to provide long-term development support including rehabilitating medical and educational facilities, providing employment opportunities, financial grants, and more.
We will likely extend our current psychosocial support programming for children to include entire families, focus on providing tailored therapy and care, and expand on recreational activities.
How much money has Islamic Relief spent in Gaza?
As a global family, Islamic Relief has been able to send $41M CAD into Gaza since the escalations began in October 2023. The money is transferred to our implementing partner Islamic Relief Worldwide in the United Kingdom, which is then transferred to Islamic Relief staff in Gaza through local partners.
Our staff in Gaza are using your donations to locally procure food, hygiene supplies, bedding, and any other essential item we can source. They screen and contract local suppliers and partners, who procure either locally or through private trading routes between Gaza and Egypt. With the level of our procurement, donations are routed through wire transfers to their Palestinian bank accounts.
How is Islamic Relief distributing aid in North Gaza?
Islamic Relief is continuing our daily work in North Gaza. Our team and partners are continuing to distribute items we previously stockpiled or could additionally procure while they await approval for the entry of more aid into North Gaza. We have scaled up our efforts in North Gaza with the ceasefire currently in effect, now reaching vulnerable Palestinians in Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahya, and Jabaliya.
What is Islamic Relief doing with ongoing donations?
We continue to fund ongoing aid to address the immediate needs of entire communities in Gaza, with some examples listed in the previous section.
In Ramadan, we distributed hot iftar meals to families in need. These meals consisted of nutritious and culturally appropriate food items, ensuring that recipients could break their fast in a dignified manner.
During Dhul Hijjah, our Qurbani in Gaza prioritized sourcing high-quality animals in Egypt and completing the sacrifice there, before freezing the meat and transporting it for distribution in Gaza. Your Qurbani sacrifice has reached 118,710 people in Gaza.
For the additional funds that are coming in and those we are unable to use at the moment, we are assessing opportunities to invest in long-term development programming, including rebuilding efforts. Sustainable development programming is just as vital as providing emergency relief, so your donations will be used to uplift communities.
What areas is Islamic Relief working in?
Islamic Relief is presently active in Rafah, Khan Younis, Deir Al Balah, Zawayda, and North Gaza. We are extending our work in North Gaza to reach Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahya, and Jabaliya.
Our emergency response efforts are being conducted in collaboration with local partners: one operating in the Middle Area, another serving Rafah and Khan Younis, and two partners distributing hot meals in North Gaza. Each partner is assigned Islamic Relief staff to oversee project implementation.
I have family in Gaza, why can't you help them?
We understand the desire to direct aid to specific individuals, however, to maintain equal access, we are unable to fulfill such requests. We consistently work to diversify our distribution points, ensuring that aid reaches as many people as possible.
It is important to note that no person will be denied aid at our distributions; however, our commitment to equity drives us to prioritize equal access for all. Our focus remains on supporting shelters to the best of our ability and providing assistance through our local partners.
