Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) Continues to Serve Gaza Despite Border Closure
- ajoyce140
- Apr 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 21
Since March 2nd, 2025, every border crossing into Gaza has shut down.
The closure, part of an increasing humanitarian crisis, has completely halted incoming aid. The world’s largest relief agencies including the UN, WFP, and UNRWA, have since exited the region. With no new supplies entering, no protection for civilians, and no formal infrastructure left intact, millions in Gaza are left fending for themselves.
However, thanks to years of groundwork, local partnerships, and pre-positioned resources, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) is able to continue its work providing the people of Gaza with critical aid and support.
This does not come without cost. Tragically, LIFE lost eight team members while serving the underserved in Gaza. These were colleagues, fathers, brothers, sons and friends, and they will live on in our memories as heroes.
We wish the families healing in this difficult time and send our sincerest condolences. We are forever grateful for these men and their ultimate sacrifice; may they rest in peace. Their bravery inspires us all to keep pushing forward, ensuring that we stand by those in need, no matter what the circumstances.
How Is LIFE Still Operating?
What sets LIFE apart from other organizations working in Gaza is that we were already there. For decades we have served Gaza and the surrounding areas making our far and long lasting.
The groundwork we laid before the closure has made it possible to continue serving people under the most challenging conditions. With warehouses stocked from prior shipments and a vast local network. Since the border closure our teams have managed to:
● Construct eight full camps across Gaza, from Rafah to Northern Gaza
● Give some tents to individual families all over Gaza whose homes were destroyed but wanted to remain on their land
● Set up a central kitchen in Northern Gaza to feed surrounding displaced families
● Distribute hot meals daily, now continuing for 25 more days with existing stock
● Deliver water and hygiene kits to camps and shelters
● Hand out hundreds of food baskets
● Distribute and assemble tents in camps for thousands of families who have lost everything
● Host community Iftars and orphan events
A Major Factor in Continued Service: Canned Udhiyah/Qurbani Meat
Last year, for the 2024 Udhiyah/Qurbani season, LIFE made the incredible decision to preserve fresh meat by canning it and then shipping it into Gaza. This decision was well thought out and has paid off in more ways than one.
Most notably, the Udhiyah meat shipped last year is still being used today. Which, as you can imagine, has played an instrumental role in being able to continue to provide meals for the people in Gaza.
Other factors that have made the Gaza canned Udhiyah/Qurbani meat distribution a success include sourcing the highest quality livestock from South Africa and India, canning in the United Arab Emirates, and the exceptionally long shelf life of canned meat.
The UAE was chosen as the canning location because of its diplomatic reputation. As a neutral well-respected country, any aid sent by the UAE is accepted through the borders of Gaza. This made the delivery process smoother and more efficient, ensuring that the Udhiyah meat reached those in need in Gaza without unnecessary delays.
Canning the Udhiyah meat provides several important benefits, especially when it’s being sent to areas facing logistical challenges. The longer shelf life makes it ideal for transportation over long distances and for storage during difficult times.
In Gaza there is no electricity, so canned meat is particularly valuable. It doesn't need to be kept cold, which makes it perfect for storage and use in homes that lack power.
LIFE’s canned meat distribution in Gaza continues to help hundreds of thousands of people within the region today.
Looking Ahead in Preparation for the Borders to Reopen
Despite everything, we remain hopeful. Our first free humanitarian flight, with 35 pallets of food aid from the USA, has already arrived in Jordan and is ready to enter Gaza the moment the borders open.
We are also:
Continuing tent production in Egypt and Turkey
Stockpiling more food and medical aid in strategic locations
Planning for Udhiyah/Qurbani season to ensure families receive meat distributions when the time comes
Expanding water projects to build long-term clean water solutions
Our next biggest project will be our upcoming Udhiyah/Qurbani season in Gaza this June 2025. LIFE will increase the number of cans of Udhiyah/Qurbani meat to 500,000. With a surplus of donations from you and other donors, we can even surpass this number, helping more people in Gaza.
Now Is the Time to Give
When the borders open, we must be ready to move immediately. The need will be greater than ever, and the window to act could be short. That’s why we’re asking you to donate today, so that when the time comes, LIFE can respond with the speed, scale, and care the people of Gaza deserve.
Giving your Udhiyah/Qurbani donations in advance will give us the most amount of time to prepare as many cans of fresh meat as possible.
