Daily struggle of a Gaza family in search of sustainability through food acquisition
In the war-torn Gaza Strip, 29-year-old Abeer Sobh is a beacon of resilience. Every day, she fetches water for her family from the sea, a stark reminder of the scarcity of fresh water that plagues the region [1][2][3].
The situation in Gaza is dire. Food scarcity has reached catastrophic levels, with more than one in three people going days without eating [1][2]. Over 500,000 people—nearly a quarter of Gaza's population—are enduring famine-like conditions. Acute malnutrition among children under five has quadrupled in two months, reaching 16.5%, signaling a sharply increased risk of death from hunger and malnutrition [1][2][3].
Abeer's children, Youssef and Mohammed, help her carry heavy jerrycans of water. The family's children also forage through Gaza's bombed-out streets for fuel to cook, using a pot found in the trash for cooking [4]. When they have enough food, water, and fuel, Abeer makes a thin lentil soup for dinner.
The Sobh family lives in a tent in the Gaza Strip. Fadi Sobh, Abeer's 30-year-old husband, is a street vendor. He was shot in the leg last month during a scuffle at an area where aid trucks arrive from Israel [5].
Abeer appeals to the sense of charity of those who succeeded in getting aid, and sometimes receives a small bag of flour. Youssef Abu Saleh, a man who regularly waits for aid trucks, gives Abeer some food when he sees her struggling [4]. Abeer often begs for food for her family's breakfast.
The family's children stand in a metal basin and scrub themselves with saltwater. Abeer sometimes heads to Zikim to collect aid, but often returns empty-handed [6]. When she can, she collects freshwater from a truck that brings water from a desalination plant.
The crisis in Gaza is driven by relentless conflict, the collapse of essential services, and severe restrictions on the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid imposed on the UN and other agencies [1][2]. Humanitarian access is severely limited, obstructing efforts to provide food and medical aid. The destruction of infrastructure—70% of Gaza's infrastructure has been destroyed—and mass displacement, with "safe zones" covering less than 12% of the territory, have further exacerbated the situation [2].
UN agencies stress that time is running out to mount a full-scale humanitarian response and urgently call for the end of hostilities, protection of civilians and aid workers, restoration of humanitarian access, and the flow of commercial goods to address this unfolding famine [1][3].
In the face of such adversity, Abeer contemplates taking her life if the war continues, as she has no strength or power left [7]. Yet, she continues to fight for her family, embodying the spirit of resilience that defines the people of Gaza.
- Abeer Sobh, despite the challenging political climate in Gaza, demonstrates incredible business resilience, fetching water for her family every day.
- The dire situation in Gaza extends beyond water scarcity, with food scarcity affecting more than a third of the population, leading to malnutrition.
- Over half a million people in Gaza are grappling with famine-like conditions, and acute malnutrition among children under five has risen dramatically.
- Youssef and Mohammed, Abeer's children, help carry heavy jerrycans of water and forage for fuel in the bombed-out streets of Gaza.
- The Sobh family cooks their meals using a pot found in the trash and a thin lentil soup is their dinner when resources allow.
- Abeer and her family live in a tent in the Gaza Strip, where Fadi Sobh, her husband, works as a street vendor, but was recently shot in a scuffle at an aid distribution area.
- Abeer appeals to others for food and sometimes receives a small bag of flour, while Youssef Abu Saleh occasionally gives her family some food.
- In the dire living conditions, the Sobh family's children clean themselves with saltwater.
- Abeer occasionally attempts to collect aid in Zikim, but often returns empty-handed.
- The crisis in Gaza results from continual conflict, the collapse of essential services, and restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery and distribution.
- Humanitarian aid access is limited, obstructing efforts to provide food and medical care.
- Infrastructure destruction and mass displacement have worsened the situation in Gaza, with 70% of the infrastructure having been destroyed.
- UN agencies plead for an end to hostilities, protection of civilians and aid workers, restoration of humanitarian access, and the flow of commercial goods to address the unfolding famine.
- Abeer contemplates suicide as a potential outcome if the war in Gaza continues, but continues to fight for the wellbeing of her family.
- Despite the challenging living conditions, Abeer embodies the spirit of resilience that characterizes the people of Gaza.
- The prolonged conflicts in Gaza have disrupted the healthcare system, making it difficult to address chronic kidney diseases, cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health, eye health, hearing impairment, and other medical conditions.
- The people of Gaza endure the hardships of poor living conditions, which contribute to a host of chronic diseases, including mental health issues, autoimmune disorders, and skin conditions.
- Addressing these health challenges requires workshops on health and wellness, fitness and exercise, skin care, and therapies and treatments.
- Nutrition is crucial in managing weight, aging, and overall well-being, and women's health and parenting classes are essential for expecting mothers.
- Education and self-development programs, with a focus on goal setting, skills training, and personal growth, can help the people of Gaza rebuild their lives and communities.
- In addition, career development opportunities and resources for job search, general news, and crime and justice education can contribute to a more stable future for the people of Gaza, along with addressing the ongoing threat of accidents, including car accidents and fires.
