Lifelines: Aid workers in Gaza is a short film that provides a window into the lives and work of aid workers in Gaza. The film follows Firas Ramlawi and Serena Awad – two staff members from the American Friends Service Committee – as they provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza who have been displaced due to relentless attacks from the Israeli military. Despite being displaced themselves and losing dozens of family members and loved ones, AFSC staff in Gaza have provided life-saving aid to over 1.5 million internally displaced people. 

About the filmmaker

Amjad Al Fayoumi is a Palestinian filmmaker and production manager from Gaza. He founded and currently leads GREEN MEDIA, a company specializing in digital marketing, content development, and film production. He has collaborated with global media outlets and agencies, including BBC, TRT, Al Jazeera, and Channel 4 News. Follow Amjad on Instagram.

Lifelines directors 

Serena Awad is a third-generation Palestinian refugee in Gaza. She serves as a program officer with AFSC's Jerusalem, Ramallah & Gaza program. Her passion for supporting the most vulnerable groups in society was ignited during her early internships; her first step on this journey began with Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina. She recently completed a fellowship with the Women’s Refugee Commission in New York, serving as an advocacy intern with the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security. Currently she is a member of the Agora forum of UN Women in Palestine. 

Firas Ramlawi serves as the Office Manager and Security Lead for AFSC’s Gaza office, where he plays a pivotal role in managing operations and coordinating emergency response efforts in one of the most complex and challenging humanitarian settings in the world. With over 20 years of experience, Firas has dedicated his career to supporting vulnerable communities and responding to crises with compassion and expertise. Before joining AFSC, Firas worked with several leading international organizations, including Save the Children, Mercy Corps, and DAI. Firas is deeply committed to empowering grassroots organizations and has a passion for mentoring young people to develop the skills and confidence they need to shape a brighter future.