It has been extremely difficult to get hold of all the items we need to distribute to older people but we have managed it.
One time I went out, shooting started all around me and 24 people died in that incident.
I took cover for a long time, then in a period of calm, I ventured out and managed to get what we needed.
Older people in Gaza need our help
It has also been very difficult to ensure all the team’s safety as even when there is a ceasefire and even if we are behind the buffer zone, people can be affected by the violence.
But we do our jobs because we know how much the older people in Gaza need our help. It’s really hard for older people in particular as many of them are not able to leave their homes.
Working around the clock
We have been working around the clock during the ceasefire to make up for lost time and to take advantage of the calm. And the older people really appreciate it when we arrive at their homes.
I also have to do it for my family. During the worst of the violence we had 36 members of my wife’s family living in our home. They are from Shej’aiya, which is one of the worst-affected areas in Gaza.
They all need food and clean drinking water and the children need milk and all this costs money.
How you can help
In the UK:
If you are in the UK, please donate to our sister organisation, Age International:
- Go to the Age International website.
- Call 0800 032 0699 on Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque.
- Text URGENT to 70004 to donate GBP 5*.
Outside the UK:
If you are outside the UK, you can donate directly to HelpAge International via our website.
*Age International, who is a DEC member, fundraises on behalf of HelpAge International in the UK. Text Costs £5.00 plus network charge. Age International receives 100% of your £5 donation. Obtain bill payers permission. Call 0800 032 0699 for more information. ‘Age International’ is a restricted fund of Age UK (charity no.1128267) set up to support the work of Age International (charity no.1128267-8)’