LIFE Food Packs Reached 1,200 Orphans During One of the Longest Humanitarian Crises on Record

After more than 500 consecutive days of chaos in Gaza, basic systems have collapsed, markets remain unstable, and families face daily shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. Recent estimates indicate that over 39,000 children in Gaza are now without one or both parents, making this one of the largest orphan crises in modern history. 

Displacement has reshaped daily life across the Strip. Many families now live in tents or overcrowded shelters, relying on intermittent aid and struggling to secure enough food to last a week, let alone a month. For orphaned children, the loss of a parent is compounded by hunger, instability, and the absence of routine. 

From November 1 to November 25, 2025, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) supported 1,200 orphaned children across Gaza through structured food assistance delivered over three months. Distributions reached families in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis, ensuring access even amid displacement and security challenges. 

“These food packs arrived when nothing else was available,” a caregiver shared. “My children were relieved. I was relieved.” 

Another mother said, “For the first time in weeks, I did not have to choose which meal to skip.” 

The assistance eased immediate hunger and reduced financial pressure on widowed caregivers, allowing families to redirect scarce resources toward medicine, hygiene items, and shelter needs. Children reported improved energy, fewer days without food, and a renewed sense of care in a place where systems of support have largely disappeared. 

While no single intervention can resolve Gaza’s deepening humanitarian emergency, this program provided something essential: consistency. LIFE’s orphan support ensured that thousands of meals reached families who otherwise faced empty shelves and impossible choices. In a crisis defined by loss, the project preserved life, dignity, and the belief that every child is precious and should be cared for.