Humanitarian response
Despite these challenges, HEKS/EPER continues to work tirelessly for the suffering civilian population. HEKS/EPER has been working in the Gaza Strip since 2006 and was therefore able to quickly launch life-saving emergency programs after the outbreak of hostilities. Our staff in Gaza work in extremely difficult conditions. They, too, have been displaced several times. The HEKS/EPER office in the Gaza Strip is currently located in Deir El Balah.
Since the beginning of the war, HEKS/EPER has been supporting the displaced civilian population in the Gaza Strip by providing clay ovens for baking bread, water, hygiene kits, cash assistance, agricultural supplies, shelter kits and a hotline for psychosocial and medical counselling, as well as psychological support for traumatised people. In collaboration with local partner organisations, we have already been able to provide cash assistance to 1460 vulnerable Gazan households which supported them to access their basic needs such as food, water and medicines.
Currently, 485 families are receiving building materials such as tarpaulins and ropes to build makeshift shelters or to improve existing ones. In addition, the families are receiving mattresses, blankets and cash assistance to purchase urgently needed everyday items.