Gaza, the emergency continues
In a Gaza where 80 percent of the infrastructure and buildings are destroyed, life inside the two Christian churches that house 650 displaced people is not easy at all. The funds raised through the Middle East Emergency to support the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in this action of welcoming and providing economic support to families are never enough.
The needs remain numerous and living in these conditions continues to be difficult.
Fruit and vegetables for 5 thousand families
In addition to the people hosted in the church premises, AMU funds are also intended to provide economic support to those who live outside of here. In one of the latest shipments for the distribution of food and medicine, about 5 thousand families were reached.
It is a very complicated action, because trucks can only circulate during certain hours of the day and only with the authorization of the Israeli authorities. Yet, for the first time we were able to distribute fruit and vegetables, something that had never been possible before.
Reciprocity even among the rubble
Just across the street from the Catholic compound in Gaza, there is a food distribution center. And here there are many volunteers – Muslims and Christians – who are busy packing, boxing, loading. 
It is an act of reciprocity: even in poverty and fear, they want to do what they can for the benefit of the community.
The same thing happens in religious buildings that house the displaced: there is a competition of solidarity to help cook and bring meals to the elderly in the rooms where they are staying. All this hard work is a great lesson for the many children who observe adults in a dramatic emergency situation like this: the little ones learn that an act of brotherhood is always possible.
The life of refugees in the two facilities
The refugees are staying in rooms, some smaller, some larger, but shared by several families. With enormous inconveniences: even being able to use clean water is a mirage. Bed linen is scarce.
It’s winter, it’s cold, but there aren’t enough blankets and mattresses for everyone, and many are forced to sleep on the floor. Unfortunately, it is not at all easy to buy new mattresses.
