MA’AN Development Center delivering hot food in Gaza City, December 2024.
Across Gaza, amidst the attacks and uncertainty that marks daily life, emergency relief is delivered thanks to the tireless efforts of the local organisation MA’AN Development Center. Supported by the generosity of donors to our Emergency Appeal, a targeted and thoughtful approach to humanitarian aid is supporting the lives of thousands. Keep reading to get a full report of MA’AN’s work with your donations.
Delivering aid with purpose and precision
The challenges in the North Gaza region, where families have been forced to flee their homes under fire, are immense. Many evacuees from areas such as Jabalia, Beit Lahia, Jabalia Camp, and Beit Hanoun arrived at Gaza City camps with nothing but clothes on their backs. Recognising this urgent need, MA’AN directed its aid efforts towards providing essential items to these displaced communities. Blankets, food baskets, and other necessities were distributed to bring immediate relief to families facing the harsh realities of displacement.
One example of this effort involved multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA) provided to 588 households, benefitting approximately 3,069 individuals. This form of aid gave families the flexibility to address their most pressing needs, from purchasing basic household goods to acquiring personal health items. For female-headed households in particular, cash assistance proved vital: Post Distribution Monitoring data revealed that 18% of the cash provided was used for sanitary pads and hygiene kits, underscoring the importance of meeting women’s health needs in challenging circumstances.
Overall, food baskets, bread distributions, and hot meals complemented this initiative with the following impressive outcomes:
- Food Baskets: 1,200 households received essential staples.
- Bread Distributions: 12,250 households were supported.
- Hot Meals: Nearly 6,942 households benefitted from warm, ready-to-eat meals.
From local farms to families in need
Food insecurity remains one of the most pressing issues in Gaza, and MA’AN’s approach to addressing this challenge has been strategic. Working closely with local farmers in Rafah, MA’AN carefully assessed available vegetables packages that reached 1,000 households, ensuring families had access to healthy produce sourced directly from the community.
From March to April, displaced families living in makeshift tents near the Al Sultan refugee camp in Rafah received these fresh vegetables as part of a broader effort to alleviate hunger. A second batch was delivered in Northern Gaza, supporting 1,000 families.
This approach addressed immediate needs and also supported the livelihoods of Rafah’s farmers, fostering a cycle of solidarity and resilience.
Surviving winter
For many families, spending harsh nights in makeshift shelters is a high priority. MA’AN surveyed households that chose blankets as an essential item for two main reasons. First, the winter season is forecasted to be severe and harsh. Second, most survey participants pointed out that blankets are more prone to damage due to rain and weather changes, unlike food items that could be more weather-resistant and non-perishable.
MA’AN has supported 472 families with blankets so far and will support an additional 204 families.
Hope in solidarity
Through these concerted efforts, we are demonstrating what solidarity looks like in action. Each food parcel, cash grant, and blanket tells a story of compassion—of people coming together to ensure no one is left behind. As Gaza continues to face a monumental crisis, your support to MA’AN ensures that displaced families have food, warmth, and dignity during these critical times. Donate Here