To support families during this sacred month, WCK teams have spent months designing food kits specifically for Palestinians observing Ramadan. Each box has nearly thirty pounds of food, the equivalent of fifty meals. These kits include staples like flour, yeast, olive and sunflower oils, apricot paste, tomato paste, cans of sardines and tuna, tahini, chickpeas, rice, orzo, and pasta. There are also special items to bring moments of calm and comfort, like dates, honey, tea, coffee, and sweets.
WCK Ramadan kits reach displaced Palestinians
The crisis in the Middle East has entered its fifth month, coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan on March 10. The holy month is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, and...
The crisis in the Middle East has entered its fifth month, coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan on March 10. The holy month is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection. However, for countless families in Gaza on the brink of starvation, it is impossible to gather together. To help foster a sense of community and provide desperately needed food, World Central Kitchen is distributing 92,000 Ramadan food boxes—the equivalent of 4.7 million meals.
Our teams across the region have provided more than 40 million meals by land, air, and sea to Palestinians living under the darkest circumstances imaginable. Through this special Ramadan kit distribution, we are providing not only nourishing food, but also comfort and a sense of home.
Palestinians face unprecedented challenges accessing everyday food supplies. Aid is restricted, and what little is available for purchase in Gaza has become too expensive for most families. “Inflation is out of control and basic food items are beyond the reach of many,” explained Zomi, WCK’s response co-lead. This month in particular, the importance of food is keenly felt as Muslims celebrate Ramadan by fasting from sunrise to sunset every day.
To support families during this sacred month, WCK teams have spent months designing food kits specifically for Palestinians observing Ramadan. Each box has nearly thirty pounds of food, the equivalent of fifty meals. These kits include staples like flour, yeast, olive and sunflower oils, apricot paste, tomato paste, cans of sardines and tuna, tahini, chickpeas, rice, orzo, and pasta. There are also special items to bring moments of calm and comfort, like dates, honey, tea, coffee, and sweets.
We began distributing Ramadan kits to displaced families in Rafah and Khan Younis, and many are grateful for the aid. “When we received the package and opened it, we were overwhelmed with joy and emotions, knowing that you had put so much thought into selecting the food items you knew we missed and needed in such difficult circumstances,” said Naheel, a displaced woman living in Khan Younis with her family. ”It truly warms our hearts.”
The ingredients included in our Ramadan kits were carefully selected to bring hope and comfort while also providing as much nutritional value as possible. Each item was inspected for quality, protein content, and yield—how many meals can actually be cooked with it. We want to ensure that Muslims in Gaza are able to observe Ramadan while remaining healthy; to have nourishing ingredients to break their fast and to provide strength and fuel for the next day’s fast.
“So far over 12,500 Ramadan boxes have arrived in Gaza and we have distributed approx 11,700 boxes,” said Zomi, and more boxes are expected to arrive in the coming days. As our teams have been delivering these kits, we have connected with recipients. In the Abu Daqqa Refugee Camp in Khan Younis, we met Medhat, Muhammad, and Zuhair and asked them what their days have been like.
In times of crisis, our shared humanity is our greatest asset. Naheel echoed this sentiment: “Your generosity serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and how it can make a significant impact on someone’s life,” she said. WCK will continue to listen to and work with the community in Gaza, providing food and support that is so desperately needed.
Help us continue supporting families during Ramadan.
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