Over 17,000 Facing Food Insecurity in Palestine Aided Through Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE)’s Food Distribution Initiatives

Violence, destruction, and displacement have become the cornerstone of life in Palestine. With thousands of lives lost to the conflict, Palestinians have been overcome by daily heartbreak and deep sadness. Yet, for those who have passed, the suffering has come to an end.  

For those who continue in the struggle for survival, famine, malnourishment, and starvation wrench what little life remains from them. Acute food insecurity has reached a crisis level or worse for 96% of Gaza’s population. The number of young children reaching alarming levels of malnutrition has skyrocketed, with thousands of under-fives being enrolled into recovery programs to combat the detrimental effects of starvation.  

While Gaza’s residents continue clinging to life, their brothers and sisters in the West Bank also face a worsening situation. With poverty levels reaching 74% last year, those in need of food assistance have more than doubled, as over 700,000 individuals struggle with the changing climate. Imposed movement restrictions in the area, along with permit losses, have sharply cut household incomes, increasing poverty and reducing the ability to purchase essential food for survival. 

Further exacerbating the situation, food prices have risen to extreme costs, and access is significantly limited, with even the most basic staple ingredients entirely unaffordable to the masses. To survive, households routinely go for days without eating and predominantly rely on rationing the minimal aid they receive. Sadly, this last lifeline is severely restricted, as aid for Gaza is being interrupted and blocked at borders, preventing much of the essential humanitarian assistance required to meet the needs of those facing life-threatening levels of food insecurity. 

To support vulnerable Palestinians struggling during the month of Ramadan, Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) orchestrated several initiatives from March 11 to March 19, 2025, to counter food insecurity throughout the region. LIFE distributed 320 food baskets in the West Bank and 800 throughout Gaza, containing staple ingredients such as rice, oil, sugar, flour, and canned goods. This food charity was sufficient to sustain a family of five throughout the month of Ramadan and was provided to low-income families, female-headed households, those with children, orphans, disabilities, or elderly members. 

Alongside the Ramadan food basket projects, LIFE arranged the distribution of ready-to-eat Ramadan Iftar Dinners at various locations in Palestine. 322 meals were provided to Palestinians in need at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, while 392 Iftars were delivered to displaced beneficiaries and their families in the Jenin Governorate of the West Bank. Supporting those most vulnerable, LIFE provided a further 3,125 Iftar meals to around 2,083 families. Through all these projects, LIFE directly aided a total of 17,049 vulnerable individuals across Palestine, while indirectly reaching at least 2000 more. 

LIFE’s projects granted respite from the incessant suffering endured by the recipients, offering a warm, nutritious meal at Iftar time to families who often face heightened levels of poverty, instability and social isolation. The distribution of food baskets reduced the financial strain on beneficiary families, allowing them to direct their resources toward other essentials, without the added burden of purchasing expensive food for the month. 

The meals and food baskets were distributed at Palestinian refugee camps, displacement shelters, and other gathering points. This ensured that those in need could break their fast in a group setting, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity that strengthened community bonds. Home deliveries were also made to housebound individuals, guaranteeing that those most in need were not neglected. Through the distributions made in Gaza, 8,815 children were supported, directly combating the damaging effects of malnutrition on these vulnerable individuals. 

Through your donations, thousands of lives were enhanced in Palestine during the month of Ramadan. A widow and mother of 3, Tharwat, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to donors and all of LIFE’s staff. Struggling with the daunting responsibility, after her husband's passing, of providing for her children in Palestine’s unstable climate, she shares: "I no longer have to choose between paying bills and buying food. This basket gave us the peace to observe Ramadan with full hearts".  

 For the thousands reached through these projects, your kindness and giving granted beneficiaries much-needed relief from the worry and suffering that otherwise consumed them. The Iftar meals and food baskets provided essential nutrition and aided in combating food insecurity. However, in their world of pain and loss, these donations also gifted recipients a gentle glimpse into the past, bringing them back to a time when Ramadan was filled with joy, warmth, and togetherness.