#palestinian refugees

Editorial: October

- Ibrahim Hewitt, Chairman of the Trustees

As news that the latest attempt to break the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip has, once again, been impeded by the might of the Israeli military, it is important to remember that the spirit of these women, and the Palestinians who eagerly awaited their arrival remains unbroken. In the spirit of the Women’s Flotilla then, we are reminded of the importance of international efforts of solidarity with the Palestinian people in the face of their prolonged plight. We can carry this collective spirit forward in order to honour the efforts of the Freedom Flotilla.

The past month has been filled with activities of celebration, sombre remembrance and the reappearance of the Palestinian situation on the international stage. Interpal’s Qurbani campaign united Muslims from around the world to feed the needy and share our blessings with those who need it most. September also marked the 34^th anniversary of the massacre of Palestinian refugees at Sabra and Shatila, condemned as an act of genocide by the United Nations but one which has largely been forgotten by the international community. Developments at the United Nations have dominated the news over the past month, with the U.N. General Summit taking place in New York. The appointment of António Guterres as the successor to Ban-Ki-Moon is emblematic of public concern over the ongoing refugee crisis gripping the Middle East. Within this, however, it should not be forgotten that the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland is now the longest-running refugee crisis in the world. With the attention of world leaders focused mainly on those fleeing the violence in Syria, it is equally important to remember those Palestinians displaced in 1948 who have been uprooted once again.

As the nights draw in and the weather turns, we are focusing our attention to those who struggle throughout the long, dark winter months. Looking forward, the concern is always present that another emergency will unfold, leaving those already struggling unprepared and without hope of protection. Our #ChanceToLive medical aid fund prepares for any eventuality in order to be ready to distribute aid on the ground should such a catastrophe occur. In the meantime, we extend our thanks to you for your continued support and generosity, without which, our mission to help Palestinians in need would not be possible.

Editorial: November

- Ibrahim Hewitt, Chairman of the Trustees

As the siege of Gaza enters its 10^th year, the blockade looks to only grow tighter. Frequently referred to as the ‘largest open air prison’ on Earth, Gaza’s population is reaching crisis levels. The Strip’s two millionth resident, Walid Shaath, born just last month now faces a harsh winter ahead.

The birth of baby Walid calls to attention the growing concern as to what a lack of resources and opportunities will engender in an already frustrated population. This milestone should encourage us to revitalise our efforts to ensure that baby Walid can pursue a future free from oppression and occupation.

Recently we marked a milestone of our own. For 22 years you have helped us in our mission to help Palestinians in need. Whilst it is dispiriting that the situation on the ground has lasted this long, it is important to keep our commitment to the cause. I personally wish to thank you all for your support over the years and hope that you will continue to help us for as long as our work is needed.

Lebanon Diaries: Final Day

On our last day in Lebanon we visited a family living in Jal al-Bahr, an unofficial Palestinian refugee camp located on the Tyre coast. 

With no barrier to protect the camp from the harsh winds of winter, houses are destroyed and damaged year after year. Every winter, crashing waves, higher each year, come pounding into the camp, wrecking everything in their path. The flimsy homes people have made for themselves afford them little shelter from the elements. Families are forced to watch their homes disappear every year with little hope of proper reconstruction or repair.

Just imagine yourself in their place, the fear you would feel for your children if they lived in these conditions.

To donate to the delegation, visit http://tinyurl.com/WinterAidForRefugees

Lebanon Diaries: Day 1 - The Shatila Refugee Camp

Our first stop was the Shatila refugee camp on the southern side of Beirut. After the glitz and glamour of the capital, the long road to the camp quickly gave way to clear signs of deprivationand severe poverty.

Shatila refugee camp was set up for Palestinian refugees in 1949. With the recent influx of Syrians fleeing the destruction in their home country, the camps numbers have swelled to accommodate the numbers of displaced people. Shatila was also the site of a massacrein1982 in which up to 3,500 people were killed.

With this knowledge already heavy in our hearts, we entered the camp braced for faces filled with despair but hoping we could provide a little joy and comfort to families who have so little but are willing to give so much.

We started by distributing food parcels to needy families in preparation for the cold winter months. We mingled with residents of the camp, handed out cones filled with sweets to children that were generously donated by Interpal supporters in the UK and listened to stories from those who had spent their whole lives in the camps and those who still held tightly to the memory of their homeland.

Amna, a fundraiser from Bradford was endeared by the children’s positive attitude and willingness to live life to the full. “I had the privilege to paint refugee children’s faces (even though I’m not good) but the children loved it. Seeing their smiles today was priceless!”

We then distributed parcels filled with staple foodslike rice, lentilsandcanned goods to families in the camp. “I was left very emotional by the act of actually handing over the parcels full of good food to families who were so grateful as they took them back to their homes” said Abdul Majid who works in Interpal’s Glasgow branch. “The feeling in my heart can only be described as ‘sukoon’, meaning peace and tranquility”.

However, the mood soonturned less joyful as we walked on through the camp and the realisation of where we were began to dawn on us.

“By far the most disorienting part of the day was walking in the footsteps of refugees in and out of dark, twisted alleyways, witnessing infestations of rats and cockroaches with the stench of raw sewage consuming our every breath” Abdul Majid continued, “the claustrophobic buildings piled one on top of the other showed the lack of value placed on the refugee’s lives in the camp.”

Palestinian refugees are denied building permits and as the population of the camps continues to increase exponentially, the space constricts, leaving families choked with little hope of escape.

“The situation is worse than I could have ever imagined,” commented Ovais, a volunteer who has raised thousands to support Interpal’s work over the years. “I saw kids playing in rubbish dumpsamongst human waste.Dead rats the size of cats lay on the floor, and bullet holes still from the massacre of ’82 still scar the buildings.”

We then continued on our journey to visit families who participate in Interpal’s topical Awareness Seminars – community sessions that focus on a variety of topics. “I went into two homes,” said Abbas, a student volunteer taking part in the programme. “The first of which belonged to a woman and her four children. She told us how she attended an Interpal medical session focused on breast cancer which led to her mother discovering that she had been suffering with the disease.”

The family of five stand testament to the importance of Interpal’s outreach work with women.

Sadly it was too late for her mother and she since passed away. However it made us realise the critical need for outreach worktoeducate women on the dangers of gendered diseases and the impact our work has on real lives.

The second family we visited consisted of a woman, her son and two daughters. The son, Muhammad wanted to become an engineer, the eldest daughter a paediatrician and the youngest, a doctor. The father had suffered a heart attack two years ago and passed away leaving his wife penniless. Luckily, the financial support the family receive from Interpal is just about enough to tide them over. During the winter months, the onset of damp in makeshift houses often leads to disrepair. This family are currently crammed into a cousin’s house following the collapse of the roof in their home, unpreventable damage that will cost around $15,000 to repair, money they simply do not have.

During the winter months, the onset of damp often leads to disrepair.

“One case we witnessed particularly touched my heart”, recalled Amna, “there was a woman who has four beautiful children, three daughters and a son. Her husband had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is now paralyzed permanently, only able to make slight movements with his eyes. To see his condition broke my heart. He lay there helplessly, not moving but just staring at me. I too felt helpless.”

Abbas added, “When I asked how her faith has stayed so strong, she replied , “I know that this is what Allah wants from me and no one else,” and I reminded her that Allah would not give this burden to anyone who was not strong enough to bear it.”

The group were amazed at the strength and resilience of the refugees.

“I’ve seen an awful lot today”, reflected Abdul Majid as the day drew to a close. “My heart is in pain thinking about the conditions in the camps but I am also in awe of the strong spirit of those who have nothing and how they manage to continue despite a system that is stacked against them. How can they survive the winter like this? Truly, I have never fully appreciated the good fortune of having a safe house,warm clothingandfinancial security. I pray that I am blessed with further strength to continue to raise funds to support Palestinian families that have endured so much pain and hardship in the camps.”

Tomorrow we head north to visit the Al Bared refugee camp. You can follow our journey on Facebook, on our Tumblr and by adding us on Snapchat @InterpalUK

To donate towards the Lebanon winter aid distribution, please visit our direct donations page. Alternatively, you can donate to our wider Winter Appeal by calling the office on 0208 961 9993 or by visiting our website.

Winter Aid Distribution Update

Lebanon Day 1:

The Interpal UK team has arrived safely in Lebanon to begin their trip to our projects in the refugee camps. 

We began by giving out the sweet cones that you so generously donated to children in need of a little love and care this winter. Many of these children will have seen horrors we cannot even imagine and face a future of economic uncertainty, poor education and a lack of opportunities. 

As we travel through Lebanon over the coming weeks we will be visiting innovative and sustainable projects through which Interpal carefully uses you kind donations to really make a difference to these people’s lives. Displaced Palestinians face a harsh winter ahead with poor infrastructure and restrictions on outside support. You can help us to make a difference and keep them #OutOfTheCold this winter.

Follow our adventures on Instagram @interpal_uk or add us on Snapchat for exclusive clips from the field including interviews with staff and beneficiaries so you can witness first-hand what life is like for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. 

To donate to our Urgent Winter Appeal call us on 0208 961 993 or visit www.interpal.org

‘Palestine Is…’ Exhibition

If you are in London why not drop by the Interpal office to take a look at our in-house exhibition ‘Palestine Is’. 

We asked artists to conjure up images of what Palestine is to them. Ranging from dreams of the fantastical to the brutal realities of war. 

There is still time to submit your artwork to our illustration competition, the winners of which will have their artwork featured in our upcoming poetry collection, ‘Palestine Verses Vol. II’.

#HeatingHomes in Southern Lebanon

On 25th January 2017 our team in the Lebanon Field Office visited the areas of ChebaaandHibariyeh in Southern Lebanon which are home to Palestinian refugees as well as recent arrivals from across the Syrian border. 

With the Civil War raging in Syria less than 10 miles away, these areas are amongst the hardest hit by poverty, resource drain andovercrowding. We distributed fuel to enable those most vulnerable to be able to heat their houses and cook warm meals during the freezing Lebanese winter. With your help, we have already helped over 200 families in Lebanese refugee camps this winter.

 No-one should ever have to choose between keeping their newborn baby safe and warm or feeding their family. With your help, we can help to alleviate fuel poverty and keep refugees safe and warm this winter. 

To donate, call 0208 961 9993 or click the ‘Donate’ button at the top of our page. 

Palestinian refugees in district La Quarantaine.

Year:1976

Photographer: Francoise Demulder

Place: Beirut, Lebanon