Cash assistance is a lifeline for women in Gaza

oPt | 2024 | CBPF

oPt, Deir al-Balah. Umm Mahmoud, whose given name is Faten, is one of the hundreds of thousands of women in Gaza enduring seemingly endless hardship from the ongoing conflict.

For years, she earned a living sewing clothes at home in the eastern Gaza neighbourhood of Shuja'iyya. But the war ended that work, among so many aspects of her daily life

Faten’s income was essential to her husband, who is battling cancer, and her children, suffering from chronic illnesses. Through her sewing work, she provided their food, medical needs, and all other essentials. But displacement and war stole her livelihood. She no longer had her sewing machine. She couldn’t earn a living anymore.

Like many people in Gaza, Faten and her family moved many times to try to find safety. As her family fled from east Gaza to Tel Al-Hawa in the west, from Gaza City to Nuseirat, then Rafah, and finally to Deir al-Balah, Faten went deeper into debt.

The Agricultural Development Association (PARC), an active local humanitarian organization, provided much-needed cash and in-kind assistance with funding from the OPT Humanitarian Fund.

With 1,000 shekels Umm Mahmoud saw an opportunity. She built a sewing machine from a bicycle wheel and a simple wooden table.

She began promoting her work among neighbours in a shelter camp in Deir al-Balah, making just enough to put food on the table and cover her husband’s and children’s medical needs. Through her small, self-sufficient project, she was able to stand on her own feet

With a vision for growth, Umm Mahmoud dreams of expanding her business. She hopes for solar panels to keep her work going, a dedicated workspace to replace her current tent, and a fitting room for customers.

More information on the oPT Humanitarian Fund:
https://www.ochaopt.org/page/opt-humanitarian-fund
https://pfdata.unocha.org/

The oPt HF continues to raise funds to support partners via the public CrisisRelief campaign: Help the people of Gaza • (un.org)

Posted May 2025

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