Children receive hot chicken and rice meals from local kitchens working in partnership with AFSC. Amjad Al Fayoumi
As humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain extremely fragile, AFSC continues its efforts to support families facing ongoing displacement and hardship. While the current period is often described as a ceasefire, violations persist, insecurity remains widespread, and hundreds of thousands of families continue to live in tents or in partially damaged homes.
This year marks the third consecutive Ramadan for many families living in displacement. Ramadan arrives differently than previous years, but it is no easier. Although the availability of food items has slightly improved compared to earlier months, living conditions remain dire, and the needs of displaced families continue to be immense. In this context, AFSC is working to make the most of the limited opportunities available to deliver dignified, timely, and meaningful food assistance.
For the past two years, AFSC has played a consistent role in providing food assistance to Palestinians in Gaza through the distribution of food parcels, fresh vegetables, and hot meals during times of heightened need. Despite persistent challenges related to supply chains, security constraints, and restricted movement, AFSC has continued to adapt and scale up its response. As a result, the number of families reached has continued to grow, even amid worsening conditions.
As part of AFSC’s ongoing humanitarian response, and following the return of meat supplies to local markets after a prolonged absence, the organization partnered with local kitchens to prepare and distribute hot rice and chicken or meat meals to displaced families living in makeshift camps. These food distributions are not only addressing immediate nutritional needs, but also strengthening local partnerships, that is essential for the upcoming Ramadan response.
Through these ongoing interventions, AFSC is reinforcing its operational readiness for Ramadan, ensuring that procurement processes, coordination with local kitchens, and community outreach systems are in place to scale up assistance during the holy month.
As Ramadan approaches, AFSC hopes that the coming month will be better than the one that has passed, marked by consistent access to essential resources, the continued entry of food supplies, and full adherence to a sustained ceasefire. Such conditions are critical not only for effective humanitarian response, but for restoring a sense of stability and dignity to families who have endured prolonged displacement.
As AFSC continues its work on the ground, these current efforts lay the foundation for a broader Ramadan food response, supporting fasting families during one of the most challenging periods they continue to face.
During this holy month, the needs remain vast, and the response depends on solidarity. Supporters and donors can play a vital role in sustaining and expanding AFSC’s Ramadan food assistance, helping ensure that displaced families are able to observe Ramadan with dignity, nourishment, and hope.